Preparation of graphite nanosheets/TiO2 composites and photocatalytic performance

Graphite nanosheets / Titanium dioxide composites (GN/TiO₂) were fabricated via sol-gel method which use tetrabutyl titanate as Ti source and different ratio of GN/TiO₂ were prepared. The composites were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The photocatalytic properties of GN/TiO₂ composites were evaluated by using Methyl orange. XRD results indicate that the composites show distinct diffraction peaks of antase-type TiO₂ and graphite. TEM results proved the uniform dispersion of TiO₂ particles on the nanosheets of GN. The ratio of GN and TiO₂ exerted significant influences on the photocatalytic properties of the composites. GN/TiO₂ composite with GN and TiO₂ ratio of 1:0.15 expressed excellent photocatalytic properties.