Bottom-Up Synthesis of Anatase Nanoparticles with Graphene Domains

Using alizarin and titanium isopropoxide, we have succeeded in preparing a hybrid form of nanostructured graphene–TiO₂ following a bottom-up synthetic approach. This novel graphene-based composite offers a practical alternative to synthesizing photocatalytically active materials with maximized graphene–TiO₂ interface. The molecular precursor alizarin was chosen because it efficiently binds to TiO₂ through the hydroxyl groups and already possesses the graphene building block through its anthracene basis. XPS and Raman spectroscopy proved that the calcined material contained majority sp²-hybridized carbon that formed graphene-like clusters. XRD data showed the integrated structures maintained their anatase crystallography, therefore preserving the material’s properties without going through phase transitions to rutile. The enhanced graphene and TiO₂ interface was confirmed using DFT computational techniques. The photocatalytic activity of the graphene–TiO₂ materials was demonstrated through degradation of methylene blue