Synergistic Effect of TiO₂ Nanorods Incorporated with Graphene Oxide for Photocatalytic Degradation of Multiple Dyes

Abstract

The treatment of dye-contaminated wastewater is essential for mitigating environmental and health risks. In this study, we developed a novel nanocomposite, TiO₂-incorporated graphene oxide (TiO₂@GOn), aimed at enhancing the photocatalytic degradation of neutral red dye, which served as the target analyte. The photocatalysis technique was employed, leveraging the excitation of TiO₂ under UV light to generate reactive oxygen species for efficient dye degradation. TiO₂ nanorods were combined with graphene oxide to form the TiO₂@GOn nanocomposite, designed to improve charge separation and enhance catalytic activity. Nanocomposite characterization was carried out using X-ray diffraction (XRD) to determine crystallographic structure, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to visualize surface morphology, and UV–Vis spectroscopy to evaluate the optical properties and photocatalytic behavior. The TiO₂@GOn nanocomposite demonstrated a synergistic catalytic effect, outperforming pristine TiO₂ and graphene oxide individually in dye degradation. This study introduces a highly efficient nanomaterial for environmental applications, offering a sustainable approach to the treatment of dye pollutants in wastewater.