Microwave synthesis of magnetically separable ZnFe2O4-reduced graphene oxide for wastewater treatment

• Main Authors: Jumeri, F. A., Lim, Hong Ngee, Ariffin, S. N., Huang, Nay Ming, Teo, P. S., S. O., Fatin, Chia, Chin Hua, Harrison, Ian
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier 2014
• Online Access: http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/34523/1/Microwave%20synthesis%20of%20magnetically%20separable%20ZnFe2O4-reduced%20graphene%20oxide%20for%20wastewater%20treatment.pdf; http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/34523/; http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0272884213016404

A magnetically separable ZnFe2O4-reduced graphene oxide (rGO) nano-composite was synthesised via a microwave method. Field emission scanning electron microscopy images of the nano-composite showed a uniform dispersion of nanoparticles on the rGO sheets. The performance of the nano-composite in wastewater treatment was assessed by observing the decomposition of methylene blue. The nano-composite showed excellent bifunctionality, i.e. adsorption and photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue, for up to five cycles of water treatment when illuminated with light from a halogen bulb. In contrast, water treatment with the nano-composite without illumination and the illuminated rGO, with no decoration of nanoparticles, diminished significantly after the first treatment. The reclamation of the ZnFe2O4-rGO nano-composite from treated water could be easily achieved by applying an external magnetic field.