Zn _1-x Ga _x O _1-y N _y – Graphene oxide nanocomposite for enhanced visible – Light photocatalytic activity

Zn _1-x Ga _x O _1-y N _y oxynitride has gained immense importance in the field of photocatalytic hydrogen generation and organic dye degradation; especially due to its narrow band gap, making it active under visible spectra. In the present work, the activity of Zn _1-x Ga _x O _1-y N _y oxynitride photocatalyst has been enhanced significantly when a composite of graphene oxide with Zn _1-x Ga _x O _1-y N _y is designed. Graphene oxide is synthesized via oxidative treatment of graphite by modified Hummers method while Zn _1-x Ga _x O _1-y N _y sample is synthesized via solution combustion technique. The integration of graphene oxide with the solid solution was carried out via two different techniques namely solution combustion and sonication route. The ability of the compound to generate charge carriers and produce photocurrent was explored using Photoelectrochemical measurements. Photocatalytic activity was evaluated by the degradation of organic dye under sunlight.