One-pot green synthesis of reduced graphene oxide (RGO)/Fe3O4 nanocomposites and its catalytic activity toward methylene blue dye degradation.

The reduced graphene oxide (RGO)/Fe 3 O 4 nanocomposites were synthesized through a facile one-pot green synthesis by using solanum trilobatum extract as a reducing agent. Spherical shaped Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles with the diameter of 18 nm were uniformly anchored over the RGO matrix and the existence of fcc structured Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles over the RGO matrix was ensured from X-ray diffraction patterns. The amide functional groups exist in the solanum trilobatum extract is directly responsible for the reduction of Fe 3+ ions and GO. The thermal stability of GO was increased by the removal of hydrophilic functional groups via solanum trilobatum extract and was further promoted by the ceramic Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles. The I D / I G ratio of RGO/Fe 3 O 4 was increased over GO, indicating the extended number of structural defects and disorders in the RGO/Fe 3 O 4 composite. The catalytic efficiency of prepared nanostructures toward methylene blue (MB) dye degradation mediated through the electron transfer process of BH 4 − ions was studied in detail. The π–π stacking, hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interaction exerted between the RGO/Fe 3 O 4 composite and methylene blue, increased the adsorption efficiency of dye molecules and the large surface area and extended number of active sites completely degraded the MB dye within 12 min. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]