The MnFe2O4/BGA (boron-doped graphene aerogel) composite was prepared by hydrothermal treatment of MnFe2O4 particles, boric acid, and graphene oxide. When applied as a photo-Fenton catalyst for the degradation of rhodamine B, the MnFe2O4/BGA composite yielded a degradation efficiency much higher than the sum of those of individual MnFe2O4 and BGA under identical experimental conditions, indicating a strong synergetic effect established between MnFe2O4 and BGA. The catalytic degradation of rhodamine B was proved to follow pseudo first-order kinetics, and the apparent reaction rate constant on the MnFe2O4/BGA composite was calculated to be three- and seven-fold that on BGA and MnFe2O4, respectively. Moreover, the MnFe2O4/BGA composite also demonstrated good reusability and could be reused for four cycles without obvious loss of photocatalytic activity.
Keywords: boron-doped graphene aerogel; degrading efficiency; manganese ferrite.