Magnetically Separable Ag/CuFe2O4 /Reduced Graphene Oxide Ternary Nanocomposite with High Performance for the Removal of Nitrophenols and Dye Pollutants from Aqueous Media

Abstract

In this work, a novel ternary magnetic nanocomposite namely Ag/CuFe 2 O 4 /rGO was produced by a facile solvothermal route. The reduction of graphene oxide (GO) to reduced form (rGO) and the in-situ deposition of CuFe 2 O 4 and Ag nanoparticles on rGO occurred simultaneously in a one-pot reaction. The structure, composition and morphology of the as-prepared nanocomposite were characterized by FT-IR, XRD, VSM, FESEM, EDX, TEM, and BET analyses. The results indicated that the Ag and CuFe 2 O 4 nanoparticles were successfully loaded on the surface of rGO. The catalytic performance of the Ag/CuFe 2 O 4 /rGO nanocomposite was evaluated for the reduction of nitroarenes to corresponding amines in the presence of sodium borohydride (NaBH 4) as a reducing agent. The nanocomposite exhibited the high performance in the reduction of the reduction of nitroarenes with 100% conversion within 10-30 min. The catalytic activity of the Ag/CuFe 2 O 4 /rGO was enhanced compared with Ag/CuFe 2 O 4 , Ag/rGO and CuFe 2 O 4 /rGO samples due to easier electron transfer process. Furthermore, the adsorption data revealed that cationic methylene blue (MB) dye could be removed almost completely on the Ag/CuFe 2 O 4 /rGO composite within 2 min and the composite could also selectively adsorb MB from the mixed solution with anionic methyl orange (MO). Due to the existence of magnetic CuFe 2 O 4 nanoparticles, the Ag/CuFe 2 O 4 /rGO nanocomposite can be magnetically separated and reused without any change in structure and performance.

Dual-Purpose CuFe2O4-rGO-Based Nanocomposite for Asymmetric Flexible Supercapacitors and Catalytic Reduction of Nitroaromatic Derivatives

“…Traces of nitroaromatic compounds are commonly present in the wastewater discharged from the industries producing pesticides, herbicides, paint, wood preservatives, dyes and pigments, etc., , and are causing harm to both humans as well as other living species . Moreover, most of the nitroanilines and nitrophenols are neurotoxic and can damage the cardiovascular system. , Several researchers have developed different strategies to remove nitroaromatic compounds from the wastewater such as catalytic moist air oxidation, catalytic reduction, photocatalytic degradation, electrolytic reduction, etc. , Catalytic reduction of organic nitro compounds to their corresponding amino products is a very exciting methodology because the resulting products, i.e., the aromatic amino compounds, are industrially important intermediates in the manufacture of lubricants, corrosion inhibitors, analgesic drugs, polymers, etc. − For this purpose, the reduction of nitroaromatic compounds in the presence of NaBH 4 in an aqueous medium is one of the widely used methods due to its simplicity, high efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and eco-friendliness. ,− …”