Graphene/Fe3O4 nanocomposite: Solar light driven Fenton like reaction for decontamination of water and inhibition of bacterial growth.

Graphical abstract Highlights • A solar light activated graphene/Fe 3 O 4 nanocomposite is prepared and characterized. • Graphene content effects dye degradation and eradication of bacteria. • A 99.42% removal of dye with TON = 47.22 x 102 and TOF = 8.1. • 89.02% and 95.33% eradication of P. aeruginosa and S. aureus respectively. Abstract Graphene nanoplatelets provide unique nanoplatform for photocatalysis and pathogen control due to their purity and high electrical conductivity. Graphene/Fe 3 O 4 nanocomposite is investigated for its performance against removal of methyl orange. A fast and complete removal of dye (99.42%) is achieved using magnetic graphene/Fe 3 O 4 nanocomposite under solar light irradiation, which otherwise can be removed only 72% using Fe 3 O 4 alone. A high photodegradation (99.42%) is associated with a high ToN (47.22 × 102) and ToF (8.1) of the photocatalyst at halfway of reaction. In addition, the growth inhibition of both Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria is studied. Interestingly, it is observed that 89.02% and 95.33% growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus is inhibited by graphene/Fe 3 O 4 nanocomposite. We anticipate that economical method based on solar-Fenton like reaction will pave the way for employment of graphene/Fe 3 O 4 nanocomposite in practical applications as a multifunctional material that possesses potential to remove organic dye, along with bacterial disinfection features. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]