Synthesis and photocatalytic property of Fe3O4@TiO2 core/shell nanoparticles supported by reduced graphene oxide sheets

A ternary nanocomposite of Fe3O4@TiO2/reduced graphene oxide (FTR) was prepared successfully by a facile route in this work. Fe3O4@TiO2 core/shell nanospheres were loaded on the surface of reduced graphene oxide (RGO), making the ternary nanocomposite possessed enhanced charge separation efficiency in combined with the supporting media of RGO. The morphology of the ternary nanocomposite was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The photocatalytic degradation efficiency on methyl orange of the FTR nanocomposite was investigated. The photocatalytic degradation efficiency of ternary composite was about three times than that of pure TiO2. The result show that the photocatalytic efficiency of 25 mg FTR can reach 83.8% in 50 min, In addition to the high efficiency of the degradation property, the ternary composite can be easily recycled by normal magnet due to the magnetite core. It is suggested that the FTR ternary composite of Fe3O4@TiO2/reduced graphene oxide can be an efficient multifunctional photocatalyst for the degradation of hazardous compounds in waste water. (c) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.