Preparation and Characterization of Conjugated Co- ZnO/GO Nanocomposite for Photocatalytic Applications

Abstract

Zinc oxide (ZnO), an n-type semiconductor, has shown great promise as a robust photochemical catalyst because of its simplicity of manufacture, high chemical stability, low toxicity, and outstanding oxidation capacity. This is especially true for applications requiring electrical components, the eradication of microorganisms, and the breakdown of organic contaminants.However, photocatalysis efficiency is decreased by the quick recombination of photogenerated charge carriers. Enhancing the transmission of photogenerated electrons through the construction of a composite and the addition of a cocatalyst are two practical methods for raising photocatalytic efficiency. By creating surface defects, doping ZnO nanoparticles can increase optical absorbance in the visible light spectrum. Because of its sp2-hybridized carbon atoms, graphene and its derivatives, graphene oxide (GO) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO), may function as a substrate, an electron-transporting substance, and a photocatalyst.In this project we have synthesized Co-ZnO/GO nanocomposite via facile wet chemical method. The structural properties of the materials were studies via Raman and XRD analysis. The band gap of the synthesized nanocomposites were estimated using tauc equation the band gap varies (3.0eV to 3.4eV) from in the UV region. The photocatalysic degradation efficiency of the Methylene Blue (MB) were recorded 93% to 99% by using UV-visible Spectroscopy.