<scp>rGO</scp> / <scp> BiVO ₄ </scp> / <scp> MnFe ₂ O ₄ </scp> , a novel ternary composite, as an effective photocatalyst for the reduction of nitroaromatic compounds into their amines under visible light

Abstract BACKGROUND Regarding the high toxicity and contamination of nitroaromatic compounds, their photocatalytic reduction to their corresponding amino‐aromatics is a promising green approach. In the present research, a novel heterogeneous nanocomposite of rGO/BiVO 4 /MnFe 2 O 4 was synthesized through reduction of graphene oxide and coupling BiVO 4 /MnFe 2 O 4 binary nanoparticles between graphene oxide layers using hydrothermal method. Structural and morphological properties, as well as optical and photocatalytic activities, of the synthesized nanocomposites were assessed by physico‐chemical techniques. Hydrazine monohydrate was used to provide hydrogen. RESULTS The results indicated successful reduction of graphene oxide and its coupling with binary nanoparticles of BiVO 4 /MnFe 2 O 4 between reduced graphene oxide sheets. The synthesized nanocomposites were employed to reduce nitroaromatic pollutants into their corresponding amino‐aromatics under visible radiation which showed successful results. CONCLUSION Our study revealed the exceptional photocatalytic performance of the ternary heterogeneous rGO/BiVO 4 /MnFe 2 O 4 nanocomposite, which achieved complete (100%) conversion of nitrobenzene to aniline in merely 10 min under visible light irradiation. The reaction was conducted using 0.5 mmol nitrobenzene, 50 mg photocatalyst, and 5 mmol hydrazine monohydrate in a 5 mL mixed solvent system (methanol‐dichloromethane‐acetonitrile, (1:1:1) v/v). A 30 W white LED lamp (λ &gt; 420 nm) served as the light source, with reaction progress monitored by GC–MS analysis. This nanocomposite outperforms previously reported photocatalysts in terms of activity while demonstrating remarkable structural stability and recyclability maintaining consistent efficiency and mass balance even after ten consecutive reuse cycles. © 2025 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).