Facile and straightforward synthesis of superparamagnetic reduced graphene oxide–Fe₃O₄hybrid composite by a solvothermal reaction

Abstract

A superparamagnetic reduced graphene oxide-Fe(3)O(4) hybrid composite (rGO-Fe(3)O(4)) was prepared via a facile and straightforward method through the solvothermal reaction of iron (III) acetylacetonate (Fe(acac)(3)) and graphene oxide (GO) in ethylenediamine (EDA) and water. By this method, chemical reduction of GO as well as the formation of Fe(3)O(4) nanoparticles (NPs) can be achieved in one step. The Fe(3)O(4) NPs are firmly deposited on the surfaces of rGO, avoiding their reassembly to graphite. The rGO sheets prevent the agglomeration of Fe(3)O(4) NPs and enable a uniform dispersion of these metal oxide particles. The size distribution and coverage density of Fe(3)O(4) NPs deposited on rGO can be controlled by varying the initial mass ratio of GO and iron precursor, Fe(acac)(3). With an initial mass ratio of GO and Fe(acac)(3) of 5:5, the surfaces of rGO sheets are densely covered by spherical Fe(3)O(4) NPs with an average size of 19.9 nm. The magnetic-functionalized rGO hybrid exhibits a good magnetic property and the specific saturation magnetization (M(s)) is 13.2 emu g(-1). The adsorption test of methylene blue from aqueous solution demonstrates the potential application of this rGO-Fe(3)O(4) hybrid composite in removing organic dyes from polluted water.