Synthesis and excellent visible light photocatalysis performance of magnetic reduced graphene oxide/ZnO/ZnFe2O4 composites

Abstract

A novel magnetic RGO/ZnO/ZnFe₂O₄ composite was synthesized by a two step method. The phase formation, structure, morphology and chemical states were characterized by XRD, FESEM, TEM, FT-IR, Raman and XPS. The results showed that the composite consisted of a core–shell structure of ZnO/ZnFe₂O₄ coated with nearly transparent flake-like RGO. The photocatalytic effect of the composite was obviously better than that of single ZnO and ZnO/ZnFe₂O₄. The optimal sample was RGO/ZnO/ZnFe₂O₄-3 (the weight ratio of graphene to ZnO/ZnFe₂O₄ was 3%) which exhibited the best photocatalytic efficiency of 98.64% after 60 min under visible light irradiation for decolorization of MB. The reusability of RGO/ZnO/ZnFe₂O₄-3 was excellent because of the magnetic ZnFe₂O₄ which can be recycled using a magnet or constant magnetic field.