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In this paper, we present a study on enhanced photocatalytic performance of TiO nanospheres deposited on graphene (n-TiO-G) in a process of coumarin oxidation. The enhancement of the photoactivity has been observed in respect to commercial TiO P25. The presented material was prepared in two steps: (i) hydrolysis of titanium (IV) butoxide (TBT) in ethanol solution with simultaneous deposition on graphene oxide (GO) and (ii) calcination of TiO-GO to form anatase-TiO and reduce GO to graphene. The nanomaterial was characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier-Transformed Infrared spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy. In the presented photocatalytic process the fluorescence was used to detect OH formed on a photo-illuminated n-TiO-G surface using coumarin which readily reacted with OH to produce highly fluorescent 7-hydroxycoumarin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A new preparation method of WS2 rod-like structure is developed. • The mechanism of growth WS2 rodes is proposed. • Different shape of WS2 improve its catalytic activity. • This structure used as highly efficient electrocatalyst for oxygen evolution. Oxygen evolution reaction (OER) via electrocatalytic water splitting is crucial for efficient electrochemical energy storage and conversion. Herein, we describe the preparation of the rod-like structure of tungsten disulphide (WS 2) as efficient catalysts for OER. Exfoliated tungsten disulphide was used as a source of the rods. The reshaping process required high-temperature treatment with the assistance of hydrogen and ethylene. We propose a structure with novel morphology and promising performance as an electrocatalyst. The rod-like structure was manifested by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy measurements including HAADF intensity line profile. Further structural insights were obtained in X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy. The structures exhibited apparent electrocatalytic activity toward OER overpotential =351 mV at 10 mA/cm2 which is superior in respect to exfoliated tungsten disulphide (overpotential =564 mV at 10 mA/cm2). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]