Analogous crystal orientation for immobilizing rGO/ZrO2/Ag3PO4 nanocomposite on a fluorine-doped tin oxide substrate

Abstract

Immobilization of nanocomposites without compromising their photocatalytic performance is a challenging task. Here, we report a new method that utilizes analogous crystal orientations and similarities in interplanar spacings for photocatalyst immobilization. The photocatalyst rGO/ZrO2/Ag3PO4 was synthesized using a green hydro thermal method. A primary layer of ZrO2 and a secondary layer of rGO/ZrO2/Ag3PO4 composite were deposited on a fluorine-doped tin oxide (FT0) substrate. The analogous crystal orientation and interplanar spacing of ZrO2 between the two layers resulted in composite immobilization on the FTO substrate. X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed that ZrO2 growth occurred along the same crystal planes in both layers. The film exhibited a low band gap energy (2.6 eV) and excellent light absorption. Photocatalytic performance achieved 92% para-nitrophenol degradation in 150 min. The degradation performance of this immobilization method was 43% higher than those of rGO/ZrO2/Ag3PO4 films deposited with conventional binder approaches. The quantum yield of the system was 3.46 x 10(-5) moleculesphoton-i. Finally, a figure of merit based on different parameters was determined and compared with previous results to assess the practicality of this system.