Facile large scale synthesis of Bi2S3 nano rods–graphene composite for photocatalytic photoelectrochemical and supercapacitor application

•A Bi2S3/RGO composite was synthesized by one pot precipitation method.•The synthesized Bi2S3/RGO composite exhibit rod like morphology.•As synthesized composite was applied for malachite green degradation.•The synthesized Bi2S3/RGO composite exhibits a specific capacitance of 290Fg−1 at a scan rate of 1Ag−1.•Photocatalytic and supercapacitor properties of Bi2S3 were enhanced mainly due to effective graphene incorporation. Bi2S3 nano rods–graphene (BG) composite material was synthesized by a simple one step precipitation method. The crystallanity, structural and morphological properties were studied by the X-ray diffraction (XRD), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Raman spectroscopy techniques. The photocatalytic activity of BG was evaluated by the photocatalytic degradation of malachite green dye (MG) aqueous solution under the visible light irradiation. The effect of graphene content on the photoelectrochemical property of Bi2S3 nano rods was also studied. The enhancement of photocurrent and photocatalytic properties of BG composite attributed to the synergistic effect between the Bi2S3 nano rods and graphene sheets which improves the charge separation efficiency in Bi2S3 nano rods. The supercapacitor behavior was studied using cyclic voltametry and galvanostatic charge discharge studies. The BG composite exhibits a maximum specific capacitance of 290Fg−1 at a current density of 1Ag−1. The present study may provide as a new approach in improving the performance of BG composite in supercapacitor, solar cells and photocatalytic applications.