Synthesis of graphene/Fe3O4 nano composites

Abstract

In this work, we have demonstrated a coprecipitation method combined in situ-reduction method for the synthesis of graphene/magnetite nanocomposites (MRGO) and for its application  in dye removal from aqueous media for the environmental water treatment. The Fe₃O₄ nano particles were synthesized by co-precipitation method,  and water-soluble chitosan was used as surface-active substances to help the dispersion stability of Fe₃O₄ nano particles. In addition, graphene oxide (GO) was reduced into graphene by L-ascorbic acid. The structure, morphology, and magnetic characteristics of the nanosized composite were investigated by analysis methods such as  XRD, FTIR, TEM, SEM, VSM, TGA ... The synthesis method is efficient, scalable, green, and controllable. Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles in size of 9-15 nm were homogeneously dispersed onto graphene sheets. The saturated magnetization of MRGO is 41 emu/g. Adsorption isotherm of Rhodamine (RhB) onto RGO/Fe₃O₄ nanocomposites were studied in a batch system. The experimental results showed that the adsorption data were much fitted with Langmuir adsorption isotherms than with Freundlich isotherms. The maximum adsorption capacity of RhB on MRGO is 38 mg/g.