Core shell-structured NiFe2O4@TiO2 nanoparticle-anchored reduced graphene oxide for rapid degradation of rhodamine B

In this work, the NiFe2O4@TiO2/reduced graphene oxide (RGO) ternary nanocomposites with high saturation magnetization and catalytic efficiency have been synthesized through the following steps. First, graphene oxide was prepared using the modified Hummer's method. Second, the NiFe2O4 nanoparticles were successfully prepared using the hydrothermal method. Third, the core shell-structured NiFe2O4@TiO2/RGO nanocomposite precursors were easily obtained through hydrolysis reaction. The morphology of NiFe2O4@TiO2/RGO nanocomposites was characterized from scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) images. Moreover, the results of X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns proved that the TiO2 coating shell consisted of anatase. The vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) measurements showed that the saturation magnetization value of NiFe2O4@TiO2/RGO ternary nanocomposites was 25emu/g. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis confirmed that only part of the graphite oxide (GO) was reduced to RGO in the ternary nanocomposite. The degradation experiments proved that NiFe2O4@TiO2/RGO nanocomposite exhibited the high catalytic efficiency and outstanding recyclable performance for rhodamine B (RhB).