Novel hierarchical Mn_<i>x</i>O_<i>y</i>-functionalized graphene for enhanced visible-light photodegradation performance

Novel hierarchical Mn _<i>x</i> O _<i>y</i> -functionalized graphene photocatalysts were successfully synthesized by simultaneous precipitation combined with electrochemical plasma methods. Comprehensive characterization, such as XRD, Raman, FT-IR, XPS, SEM, and TEM results, showed the formation of hierarchically structured Mn _<i>x</i> O _<i>y</i> -graphene nanocomposites (GMP) <i>via</i> a change in the pH of the initial solution. The visible-light photodegradation performance of the as-prepared GMP was significantly enhanced compared to that of their counterparts owing to the synergistic effects of graphene and Mn _<i>x</i> O _<i>y</i> . Specifically, the GMP10 sample displayed the highest efficiency for methylene blue decomposition, reaching 84.5% after 150 minutes of illumination. The stability of the material was confirmed through four consecutive degradation cycles, during which the efficiency of methylene blue degradation decreased by 6.9% (from 84.5% to 77.6%).