One-pot polyelectrolyte assisted hydrothermal synthesis of NiFe₂O₄-reduced graphene oxide nanocomposites with improved electrochemical and photocatalytic properties

Abstract

Reduced graphene oxide-nickel ferrite (RGO-NiFe 2 O 4 ) has been successfully synthesized by the hydrothermal method in the presence of poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA). PDDA is used both as a reducing agent and as a stabilizer. The prepared RGO-NiFe 2 O 4 nanocomposites have been thoroughly characterized by spectroscopic (Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and x-ray diffraction) and thermogravimetric analysis. Microscopy techniques (scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy) were used to probe the morphological structures as well as to investigate the exfoliation of RGO sheets. It is interesting to find that RGO-NiFe 2 O 4 nanocomposites exhibited much better electrochemical capability than NiFe 2 O 4 . In addition, the as-prepared RGO-NiFe 2 O 4 nanocomposites can effectively remove methyl orange from water under ultraviolet light irradiation, which can be used as novel photocatalysts for environmental protection.

Graphene Composites for Lead Ions Removal from Aqueous Solutions

“…NFRGO was separated by external magnate and dried under vacuum for 24 at 60 • C. As prepared NFRGO was characterized using XRD, XPS, and Raman spectroscopy. XRD peaks at 2θ = 18.28 • and 40 • were observed with correspond to RGO [214,215] [216,217]. Shifting of XPS peaks from 532.4 eV to lower range at 530.3 eV confirmed the reduction of GO to RGO.…”