DOI: https://doi.org/10.55373/mjchem.v28i3.141

Keywords: Graphene-Yb₂O₃ nanocomposites, photocatalysis, energy storage, dye degradation, environmental cleanup

Abstract

A Nanocomposites of graphene and ytterbium oxide were created through the amalgamation of graphene oxide and Yb2O3 in different weight proportions (Yb2O3G1, Yb2O3G3, Yb2O3G5). The materials were analysed through a multitude of sophisticated methods such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), “X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and electrochemical assessments.” Analyses of the structure revealed that graphene had a negligible effect on the crystallinity of Yb2O3, accompanied by slight alterations in the diffraction peaks. The successful creation of Yb2O3-graphene composites was validated through Raman and FTIR spectra analysis. The morphological investigations unveiled a notable improvement in the distribution of Yb2O3 crystals throughout the graphene matrix, particularly at elevated concentrations of graphene. The examination of electrochemical characteristics revealed that the impact of graphene on the electrochemical attributes of Yb2O3 was minimal, whereas the performance in photocatalysis saw a notable enhancement. The Yb2O3G5 composite demonstrated exceptional photocatalytic performance in breaking down methylene blue (MB) dye when exposed to UV light, underscoring the promising capabilities of these composites for environmental remediation efforts.