Synthesis, characterization and optical properties of in situ ZnFe2O4 functionalized rGO nano hybrids through modified solvothermal approach

Graphene, honeycomb structure of carbon having exceptional characteristics have attracted researcher's interest and is now being studied and used in numerous technological areas and next generation nano devices. In this research work, reduced graphene oxide was functionalized with magnetic nano crystals, i.e. ZnFe < inf > 2 < /inf > O < inf > 4 < /inf > via modified solvothermal approach. X-ray diffraction and Micro Raman spectroscopy was used to confirm structural aspects of synthesized graphene oxide and ZnFe < inf > 2 < /inf > O < inf > 4 < /inf > pristine magnetic nano crystals and the functionalized rGO-ZnFe < inf > 2 < /inf > O < inf > 4 < /inf > nano hybrid. Morphology were analyzed through SEM showing that the particles sizes were in between 24 and 27 nm range attached to reduced graphene oxide sheets while composition and valence state of functional groups were analyzed through XPS. UV-Vis spectroscopy was carried out for analyzing their optical absorption behavior. Their optical characteristics were explained in depth in relation with their structural aspects and functionalization behavior.