d-Pencillamine assisted microwave synthesis of Bi2S3 microflowers/RGO composites for photocatalytic degradation—A facile green approach

Abstract Bismuth sulphide (Bi2S3)/reduced graphene oxide (RGO) composites were fabricated using facile single step process using d -pencillamine as a sulphur source. Fourier Transformer Infra Red spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Raman Spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HR-TEM), and Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) were employed to characterize and evaluate the properties of Bi2S3/RGO composites. This paper delivers a systematic investigation on the incorporation of the RGO on Bi2S3 microflowers for high efficiency visible light photocatalytic degradation of crystal violet dye (CV). As synthesized Bi2S3 microflower/RGO composites show tremendous improved photocatalytic performance than pure Bi2S3 microflowers. The superior photocatalytic activity of the Bi2S3/RGO composite was due to the enhanced light absorption, reduced recombination rate, and efficient charge transfer by incorporation of RGO. The degradation efficiency of Bi2S3/RGO 3% shows higher photocatalytic activity than pure Bi2S3 and commercialized TiO2.