rGO/ V2O5 nanowire composites were synthesized via a green hydrothermal process, and the effect of hydrothermal duration on their morphology and photocatalytic performance was systematically evaluated. The composite prepared at 36 h exhibited the most uniform nanowire architecture and the strongest interfacial coupling. Under simulated solar irradiation, this sample achieved 95.5% degradation of methylene blue (20 mg/L) within 240 min, significantly outperforming pristine V2O5. Radical-trapping experiments confirmed that superoxide radicals (O2•−) and photogenerated holes (h⁺) are the primary active species, whereas hydroxyl radicals (•OH) contribute marginally. A mechanism is proposed in which photoexcited electrons transfer from V2O5 to rGO, where rGO acts as an electron sink that suppresses electron–hole recombination and promotes O2 reduction to O2•−,thereby accelerating pollutant degradation into CO2, H2O, and inorganic ions. These results demonstrate the synergistic effect of rGO–V₂O₅ coupling and highlight a sustainable strategy for developing efficient photocatalysts for environmental remediation.
Eco-friendly hydrothermal fabrication of rGO/V2O5 nanowires for enhanced solar photocatalysis
Tonezzer M.;
2026-01-01
Abstract
rGO/ V2O5 nanowire composites were synthesized via a green hydrothermal process, and the effect of hydrothermal duration on their morphology and photocatalytic performance was systematically evaluated. The composite prepared at 36 h exhibited the most uniform nanowire architecture and the strongest interfacial coupling. Under simulated solar irradiation, this sample achieved 95.5% degradation of methylene blue (20 mg/L) within 240 min, significantly outperforming pristine V2O5. Radical-trapping experiments confirmed that superoxide radicals (O2•−) and photogenerated holes (h⁺) are the primary active species, whereas hydroxyl radicals (•OH) contribute marginally. A mechanism is proposed in which photoexcited electrons transfer from V2O5 to rGO, where rGO acts as an electron sink that suppresses electron–hole recombination and promotes O2 reduction to O2•−,thereby accelerating pollutant degradation into CO2, H2O, and inorganic ions. These results demonstrate the synergistic effect of rGO–V₂O₅ coupling and highlight a sustainable strategy for developing efficient photocatalysts for environmental remediation.
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