Synthesis, characterization, and enhanced sunlight-active photocatalytic property of single-site octahedral iron(III) oxide complex – Grafted graphene oxide

The reported study delves into the synthesis and analysis of an innovative composite material formed by grafting single-site octahedral iron(III) oxide complex onto graphene oxide (GO). The formation of the composite employs an innovative approach, utilizing a one-pot adsorption procedure to synthesize iron(III) oxide complex-modified graphene oxide (Fe-GO), with [Fe(bipy)Cl ₄][bipyH] serving as the precursor complex. Employing an array of analytical techniques including XRD, FTIR, DRS, PL, SEM, EDAX, XPS, and MB analyses, we meticulously uncover the intricate structural attributes of the resulting Fe-GO composite. Mössbauer spectroscopy confirms the presence of distorted octahedral Fe ³⁺ single-sites grafted onto the GO surface, a crucial aspect firmly established in our synthesized specimen. This innovative approach not only enhances the photoactive properties of GO but also offers a resource-efficient avenue for such improvements. The photochemical efficacy of the synthesized samples is rigorously assessed by Rhodamine B degradation in water under authentic sunlight exposure. Remarkably, the Fe-GO composite outperforms pristine graphite, GO, and metal oxide photocatalysts (TiO ₂ and SnO ₂ based materials), underscoring its exceptional photocatalytic performance. The catalyst`s durability and recyclability are thoroughly examined over five cycles, affirming its lasting effectiveness. Collectively, our findings highlight the substantial promise of iron-complex-decorated GO as an efficient solar-responsive photocatalyst, surpassing existing commercially available counterparts. This investigation opens a viable path towards the development of economically sustainable photocatalysts, tailored to meet the demands of various environmental applications reliant on solar-driven reactions.