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

This paper reports the synthesis of magnetic CoFe2O4–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 CoFe2O4–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, CoFe2O4–rGO hybrids with CoFe2O4 nanoparticles of 23.8 nm were produced. Catalytic testing showed CoFe2O4–rGO hybrids exhibited much better catalytic activity than CoFe2O4, which suggests rGO plays an important role in CoFe2O4–rGO hybrids for the decomposition of phenol. Moreover, the hybrid catalyst presents good magnetism and could be separated from solution by a magnet.