Investigation of photocatalytic performances of sulfur based reduced graphene oxide-TiO ₂ nanohybrids

Hypothesized the incorporation of direct elemental sulfur (S) into graphene-oxide (GO) via simple sonication. Initially S@GO was prepared using simple ultrasonication and evaluated its photocatalytic property. In S@GO instead of photocatalytic activity the adsorption was predominant due the amphiphilic property of GO. Later, S@GO was utilized to prepare sulfur based rGO-TiO ₂ [S@rGO-TiO ₂ or SRT] hybrids using solvothermal method. Herein the addition of ubiquitous sulfur has been hypothesized to improve the efficiency of photocatalyst. When S@GO subjected to solvothermal treatment, unpredicted reaction took place and it is discussed later briefly, yet this S@rGO-TiO ₂ hybrid demonstrated high photocatalytic activity. Some essential characterization such as SEM, EDAX, XRD and Raman analysis were carried out and its photocatalytic performance were evaluated and compared with TiO ₂ and reduced graphene-oxide-TiO ₂ . Our investigations will create a new pathway in futuristic development of SRT hybrids suitable for photocatalytic and waste-water treatment/remedial applications.