Effects of different mass ratios of tetrabutyl titanate on the microstructure and properties of GO−TiO₂ composite materials

Graphene oxide/titanium dioxide (GO–TiO₂) composites were prepared via a one-step hydrothermal synthesis method using graphene oxide and tetrabutyl titanate as raw materials. The effects of different mass ratios of tetrabutyl titanate on the microstructure and properties of the GO–TiO₂ composites were studied. The microscopic morphology of these composites was observed through a scanning electron microscope, and the phase composition and structure were analyzed using X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. The light absorption performance and thermal stability of the composites were analyzed via ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy and a thermal gravimetric analyzer. As the content of tetrabutyl titanate increases, the TiO₂ generation increases; material surface area climbs up and then declines; surface defects decline and then climb up; absorption peak in the visible light range strengthens and then weakens; and degree of recombination climbs up and then weakens. When the content of tetrabutyl titanate exceeded 100 mL, the dispersibility of TiO₂ in the GO–TiO₂ composites became poor, thereby reducing the light absorption performance and thermal stability of the composites. When the GO was 320 mg and tetrabutyl titanate was 100 mL in the precursor solution, the obtained composite material exhibited superior surface properties, optical properties, and thermal stability. TiO₂ was uniformly dispersed on the surface of the composite material. The composite material exhibited a high absorption intensity of visible light, high recombination, few surface defects, and an I_D/I_G ratio of 0.91. Characteristic peaks at 1573 and 1428 cm⁻¹ were the strongest. The absorption edge of TiO₂ in the composite was bathochromic shifted to the visible light range, and the absorption peak was significantly enhanced in the visible light range of 440–800 nm. The composite material exhibited good anticorrosion and antifouling abilities. The thermal stability of the composite was 84.89% higher than that of GO at 800°C. These composites have great prospects for development in the fields of anticorrosion and antifouling.