One-pot composite synthesis of three-dimensional graphene oxide/poly(vinyl alcohol)/TiO2 microspheres for organic dye removal

Three-dimensional graphene oxide (3D-GO), poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), and TiO2 microspheres (3D-GO/PVA/TiO2) composite was prepared via one-pot synthesis by using aqueous suspension of PVA and 3D-GO sheets as support in the presence of TiO2 microspheres. Photocatalytic activity of 3D-GO/PVA/TiO2 toward dyes was enhanced by the improved adsorption performance caused by the rich π-conjugation structure of GO and porous 3D-GO/PVA sheets. Methylene blue (MB) and methyl violet (MV) were adsorbed onto the resultant composite in dark for 30 min and irradiated under simulated solar light for 2 h. Degradation ratios of MB and MV were approximately 95% and 96%, respectively. Results from the evaluation of repeatability toward MB and MV degradation showed that the 3D-GO/PVA/TiO2 composite were stable and reusable. Therefore, this novel composite may be applied in the treatment of wastewater polluted by dyes and in environmental cleaning.