Abstract
We successfully constructed TiO2-pillared multilayer graphene nanocomposites (T-MLGs) via a facile method as follows: dodecanediamine pre-pillaring, ion exchange (Ti4+ pillaring), and interlayer in-situ formation of TiO2 by hydrothermal method. TiO2 nanoparticles were distributed uniformly on the graphene interlayer. The special structure combined the advantages of graphene and TiO2 nanoparticles. As a result, T-MLGs with 64.3wt% TiO2 showed the optimum photodegradation rate and adsorption capabilities toward ciprofloxacin. The photo-degradation rate of T-MLGs with 64.3wt% TiO2 was 78% under light-emitting diode light irradiation for 150 min. Meanwhile, the pseudofirst-order rate constant of T-MLGs with 64.3wt% TiO2 was 3.89 times than that of pristine TiO2. The composites also exhibited high stability and reusability after five consecutive photocatalytic tests. This work provides a facile method to synthesize semiconductor-pillared graphene nanocomposites by replacing TiO2 nanoparticles with other nanoparticles and a feasible means for sustainable utilization of photocatalysts in wastewater control.
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Acknowledgements
This work was financially supported by the Youth Fund of Hebei Province Education Department, China (No. QN2017117) and the Hebei Natural Science Funds for the Joint Research of Iron and Steel, China (Nos. E2019209374 and E2015209278).
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Zeng, Xf., Wang, Js., Zhao, Yn. et al. Construction of TiO2-pillared multilayer graphene nanocomposites as efficient photocatalysts for ciprofloxacin degradation. Int J Miner Metall Mater 28, 503–510 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-020-2193-y
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-020-2193-y