Abstract
MgFe2O4 nanoparticles were prepared by adopting the micro-emulsion route. Graphene-MgFe2O4 nanocomposites were prepared via ultra-sonication route. The characterization of MgFe2O4 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 MgFe2O4. VSM exhibited the magnetic behavior of MgFe2O4 while SEM estimated the particle size in the range of 50 nm. The photocatalytic activity of MgFe2O4 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.
MgFe2O4-graphene nanocomposites were fabricated via cheap wet chemical routes that showed the good photocatalytic activity in the presence of visible light. [Display omitted]
•MgFe2O4 nanoparticles with size 50–70 nm were prepared via wet chemical route.•MgFe2O4-graphene nanocomposites were fabricated by ultra-sonication method.•MgFe2O4-graphene nanocomposites exhibited the good photocatalytic activity.