Magnetically separable and recyclable graphene-MgFe2O4 nanocomposites for enhanced photocatalytic applications

Abstract MgFe 2 O 4 nanoparticles were prepared by adopting the micro-emulsion route. Graphene-MgFe 2 O 4 nanocomposites were prepared via ultra-sonication route. The characterization of MgFe 2 O 4 nanoparticles and their nanocomposites was carried out by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and vibrating sample magnetometery (VSM). XRD and FTIR confirmed the cubic spinel structure of MgFe 2 O 4 . VSM exhibited the magnetic behavior of MgFe 2 O 4 while SEM estimated the particle size in the range of 50 nm. The photocatalytic activity of MgFe 2 O 4 and nanocomposites were carried out using methylene blue as model compound in the visible light. The photocatalytic activity showed that the synthesized magnetic particles and their nanocomposites with graphene can be utilized as photocatalyst materials. These new photocatalyst could also be recycled and separated by applying an external magnetic field.