Synthesis and properties of tungsten oxide and reduced graphene oxide nanocomposites

In this paper, we report the synthesis and physical properties of tungsten oxide-reduced graphene oxide (WO₃-rGO) nanocomposite. The WO₃-rGO nanocomposite was prepared by a simple chemical method and the same was reduced by microwave irradiation. The as-synthesized nanocomposite was characterized by X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy and Atomic Force Microscopy techniques. The XRD data confirms that WO₃ has tetragonal structure. The optical property was analyzed using UV-Vis and Photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. Layer defect in rGO was analyzed by Raman spectroscopy. The PL results revealed the emission peak at 389 nm and 450 nm for rGO and WO₃-rGO nanocomposite, respectively. The photocatalytic characteristic of as-prepared WO₃-rGO composite was analyzed via degradation of Methylene Orange dye at two different concentration of WO₃-rGO (1 mg and 5 mg). Thermo gravimetric analysis results revealed the higher thermal stability of WO₃-rGO nanocomposite. The presence of functional groups was identified by Fourier Transform Infra-Red Spectroscopy. Our results demonstrate the potential application of WO₃-rGO nanocomposite in photocatalysis.