Photoluminescence and enhanced photocatalytic activity of mechanically activated graphite-zinc oxide composites

Abstract In this work, we show evidence of enhanced photocatalytic activity in mechanically activated graphite-zinc oxide (ZnO) composites using time-resolved photoluminescence (TRPL) and time-integrated (TIPL) spectroscopy. The graphite-ZnO were synthesized through facile mixing grinding graphite ZnO precursors without any heat treatment. ground at room temperature with varying to mass ratios 3:1, 2:2, 1:3 for 0, 2, 4 h. Raman spectroscopy x-ray diffractometry confirm the presence both corroborate graphite-to-ZnO ratio. XRD results also a hexagonal wurtzite crystal structure. To determine composites, degradation methylene blue (MB) under UV light was measured UV–vis spectrophotometer. Nearly full achieved within half hour all composite samples. kinetic rates 0.10 min −1 estimated mixed unground samples 2 Time-resolved reveal longer lifetimes more intense emissions, respectively, compared pure ZnO. We propose that even agglomeration zinc particles on due enhances by oxide. TRPL TIPL implies excellent binding between graphite, which greatly contributes decreased charge recombination resulting superior observed our