Nitrogen doped Graphene Nickel Ferrite Magnetic Photocatalyst for the Visible Light Degradation of Methylene Blue

Abstract

A facile approach has been devised for the preparation of magnetic NiFe₂O₄ photocatalyst (NiFe₂O₄-NG) supported on nitrogen doped graphene (NG). The NiFe₂O₄-NG composite was synthesized by one step hydrothermal method. The nanocomposite catalyst was characterized by Powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis) and Vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM). It is found that the combination of NiFe₂O₄ nanoparticles with nitrogen-doped graphene sheets converts NiFe₂O₄ into a good catalyst for methylene blue (MB) dye degradation by irradiation of visible light. The catalytic activity under visible light irradiation is assigned to extensive movement of photogenerated electron from NiFe₂O₄ to the conduction band of the reduced NG, effectively blocking direct recombination of electrons and holes. The NiFe₂O₄ nanoparticles alone have efficient magnetic property, so can be used for magnetic separation in the solution without additional magnetic support.