Synthesis of magnetic ZnFe2O4/graphene composite and its application in photocatalytic degradation of dyes

Magnetic ZnFe2O4/graphene composite (ZnFe2O4/G) has been successfully synthesized by a facile one-pot solvothermal method. Graphene oxide (GO) was reduced to graphene and the ZnFe2O4 particles were simultaneously grown on the graphene sheets under the conditions generated in the solvothermal system. Importantly, the ZnFe2O4/G composite showed powerful visible-light-photocatalytic activity for the degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB), methyl orange (MO) and methylene blue (MB) in the presence of H2O2. The ZnFe2O4/G composite serves a dual function as the catalyst for photoelectrochemical degradation of dyes and the generator of a strong oxidant hydroxyl radical ((OH)-O-center dot) via photoelectrochemical decomposition of H2O2 under visible light irradiation. ZnFe2O4/G composite has excellent magnetic properties, which makes it magnetically recyclable in a suspension system. Therefore, the ZnFe2O4/G magnetic composite may find potential applications in dye water treatment and the degradation of organic dyes. (c) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.