Magnetic CoFe2O4–Graphene Hybrids: Facile Synthesis, Characterization, and Catalytic Properties

This paper reports the synthesis of magnetic CoFe 2 O 4 –reduced graphene oxide (rGO) hybrids and the catalytic performance in heterogeneous activation of peroxymonosulfate (PMS) for decomposition of phenol. The surface morphologies and structures of the CoFe 2 O 4 –rGO hybrids were investigated by field emission scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDS), transmission electron microscopies(TEM), powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), nitrogen adsorption–desorption isotherm, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Through an in situ chemical deposition and reduction, CoFe 2 O 4 –rGO hybrids with CoFe 2 O 4 nanoparticles of 23.8 nm were produced. Catalytic testing showed CoFe 2 O 4 –rGO hybrids exhibited much better catalytic activity than CoFe 2 O 4, which suggests rGO plays an important role in CoFe 2 O 4 –rGO hybrids for the decomposition of phenol. Moreover, the hybrid catalyst presents good magnetism and could be separated from solution by a magnet.