Synthesis of needle like nano composite of rGO-Mn₂O and their applications as photo-catalyst

Needle like nano composite of rGO-Mn₂O is synthesized via wet chemical approach. Graphene oxide was used as precursor of graphene and synthesized at lab scale following modified Offman's and Hummers’ method with some modifications. Manganese oxide particles are synthesized separately and then incorporated on the surface of graphene through hydrothermal treatment in the formation of composite. XRD is used to analyze the composition and structure of the synthesized product. SEM and TEM analyses are used for the morphological characterization of the synthesized composite. Catalytic applications of nano needles of rGO-Mn₂O are studied in a photocatalytic degradation reaction for the Drimarene Red KBL-4. The kinetics and thermodynamics of the degradation reactions are discussed to evaluate the obtained results. Effect of different parameters including catalyst and hydrogen peroxide concentration as well as temperature are also studied. Thermodynamic study of the removal of given dye showed the degradation reaction using rGO-Mn₂O as catalyst, an entropy driven and endothermic reaction which proceeds to forward direction on increasing the temperature. Percent degradation of the given dye at optimum conditions is 97% in 125 min which showed good catalytic efficiency of the synthesized composite for the environmental remediation.