Copper Ferrite-Graphene Hybrid: A Multifunctional Heteroarchitecture for Photocatalysis and Energy Storage

A straightforward strategy is designed for the fabrication of CuFe 2 O 4 -graphene heteroarchitecture via a one-step hydrothermal route to allow multifunctional properties, i.e., magnetic cycling, high photocatalytic activity under visible light irradiation, and excellent electrochemical behaviors for use as the anode in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observations indicate that graphene sheets are exfoliated and decorated with hexagonal CuFe 2 O 4 nanoflakes. The photocatalytic activity measurements demonstrate that the combination of CuFe 2 O 4 and graphene results in a dramatic conversion of the inert CuFe 2 O 4 into a highly active catalyst for the degradation of methylene blue (MB) under visible light irradiation. CuFe 2 O 4 nanoparticles themselves have excellent magnetic properties, which makes the CuFe 2 O 4 -graphene heteroarchitecture magnetically recyclable in a suspension system. It should be pointed out that the CuFe 2 O 4 -graphene (with 25 wt % graphene) heteroarchitecture as anode material for LIBs shows a high specific reversible capacity up to 1165 mAh g –1 with good cycling stability and rate capability. The superior photocatalytic activity and electrochemical performance of the CuFe 2 O 4 -graphene nanocomposite can be attributed to its unique heteroarchitechture, which provides the remarkable synergistic effect between the CuFe 2 O 4 nanoflakes and the graphene sheets.