Synthesis of reduced rGO-Fe203 Nanocomposite for Photocatalytic Activity of Methylene Blue Degradation

This study describes the synthesis of reduced graphene oxide-ferum oxide (rGO-Fe203) nanocomposite for photocatalytic activity of methylene blue degradation. This nanocomposite of rGO-Fe203 was prepared by calcination process then analysed by using UV-Visible spectrophotometer, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and energy dispersive x-ray analyser (EDX). The result indicates that the Fe203 was successfully anchored on the rGO sheets for every ratio 1:0.5, 1:1 and 1:2 after facing calcination process. The graphene oxide completely reduced during calcination process confirmed by uv-vis spectrophotometer. While the surface topography of rGO-Fe203 was characterized by scanning electron microscope and elemental composition of nanocomposite analysed by energy dispersive x-ray. Photocatalytic activity were observed by the methylene blue degradation when rGO-Fe203 started to irradiate by natural sunlight to form electron and holes. Holes then combined with the hydroxide ion from water to form OH radicals. Highly reactive radicals OH have the ability to fragment the MB molecules. Electrons that produced can adsorb the dissolved oxygen in the dye solution to form the peroxide radicals 02.