Enhanced photocatalytic activities of three-dimensional graphene-based aerogel embedding TiO2 nanoparticles and loading MoS2 nanosheets as Co-catalyst

A novel graphene-based three-dimensional (3D) aerogel embedded with two types of functional nanomaterials had been prepared by a facile one-pot hydrothermal process. During the hydrothermal reaction , graphene, TiO 2 nanoparticles and MoS 2 nanosheets were self-assembled into the 3D interconnected networks aerogel, where the uniformly dispersed TiO 2 nanoparticles were densely anchored onto the graphene nanosheets and decorated with the ultrathin MoS 2 nanosheets. The UV–vis DRS and PL spectra measurement shows that the MoS 2 /P25/graphene aerogel exhibits enhanced light absorption and efficient charge separation properties. As a new photocatalyst , the photocatalytic activity was evaluated by photoelectrochemical test and photodegradation methyl orange (MO) under UV irradiation , an improvement of photocurrent was observed, as 6 times higher for MoS 2 /P25/graphene aerogel (37.45 mA/cm 2 ) than pure P25 at +0.6 V, and the fastest photodegradation of MoS 2 /P25/graphene aerogel was found within 15 min. The improved photocatalytic activity is attributed to the porous structure , good electrical conductivity and the maximization of accessible sites of the unique 3D graphene aerogel, the increasing active adsorption sites and photocatalytic reaction centers for the introduction of MoS 2 nanosheets, and the positive synergetic effect between the three components in this hybrid. This work demonstrates that the as-prepared MoS 2 /P25/graphene aerogel may have a great potential application in photoelectrochemical hydrogen production and pollution removal.