Synergistic performance of porous hierarchical NiO/rGO heterojunction for optimal photocatalytic performance

Abstract

This work utilized a facile, simple and cost-effective hydrothermal technique to form a porous hierarchical nanocomposite having NiO and reduced graphene oxide (rGO). The porous hierarchical NiO/rGO nanocomposite exhibit a large surface area, enhanced photon adsorption and effective suppression of photogenerated charge recombination rate. The rGO insertion effectively minimizes bandgap and charge recombination rate, which plays a significant role in dye degradation. As a result, the synthesized porous hierarchical NiO/rGO effectively degrade 80.2% Rhodamine-B dye compared to pristine NiO. Various techniques, were employed to evaluate structure, phase purity, light absorbance, and charge generation, separation, and migration characteristics. © 2025 Elsevier B.V.