Enhanced photocatalytic activity of hierarchical macro/mesoporous TiO2–graphene composites for photodegradation of acetone in air

Graphene, a single layer of graphite, possesses a unique two-dimensional structure, high conductivity, superior electron mobility and extremely high specific surface area, and can be obtained on a large scale at low cost. Thus, it has been regarded as an excellent catalyst support. Recently, graphene-based semiconductor photocatalysts have attracted more attention due to their enhanced photocatalytic activity. In this work, hierarchical macro/mesoporpous TiO2–graphene composites with low loadings (0–0.2 wt.%) of graphene were first produced by a simple one-step hydrothermal method using tetrabutyl titanate as the titanium precursor. The prepared composite samples presented enhanced photocatalytic activity in photodegradation of acetone in air. Graphene content exhibited an obvious influence on photocatalytic activity and the optimal graphene addition content was determined. At the optimal graphene concentration (0.05 wt.%), the prepared composites showed the highest photocatalytic activity, exceeding that of pure TiO2 and Degussa P-25 by a factor of 1.7 and 1.6, respectively. The enhanced photocatalytic activity is due to graphene as an excellent electron acceptor and transporter, thus reducing the recombination of charge carriers and enhancing the photocatalytic activity. The transient photocurrent response experiment further confirmed the transfer of photogenerated electrons from TiO2 to graphene and the suggested mechanism.