Effects of fuel contents on physicochemical properties and photocatalytic activity of CuFe2O4/reduced graphene oxide (RGO) nanocomposites synthesized by solution combustion method

The graphene oxide (GO) and metal nitrates as oxidants and glycine as fuel were used to prepare the copper ferrite/reduced graphene oxide (CuFe2O4/RGO) composites. The effects of amounts of fuel and graphene oxide on the phase, particle size and shape, and magnetic properties were characterized by various techniques. The CuFe2O4 phase was formed together with Cu and CuO phases. The GO was also reduced by liberated gaseous products. The CuFe2O4, Cu, and CuO phases were embedded on RGO sheets. The impurity Cu and CuO phases were profited for the charge separation effect, as confirmed by photoluminescence spectroscopy, increasing the photocatalytic performance. Furthermore, the magnetic properties of CuFe2O4/GO composites were enough for recycling the catalysts. (C) 2020 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.