Nano-Structures & Nano-Objects 16 (2018) 180–184 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Nano-Structures & Nano-Objects journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/nanoso Synthesis and magnetic dispersibility of magnetite decorated reduced graphene oxide Wasi Khan a, *, Avdesh Kumar Singh b , Swaleha Naseem b , Shahid Husain a , Mohd. Shoeb c , M. Nadeem b a Department of Physics, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh 202002, India b Department of Applied Physics, Z.H. College of Engg. & Technology, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh 202002, India c Department of Applied Chemistry, Z.H. College of Engg. & Technology, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh 202002, India graphical abstract article info Article history: Received 1 November 2017 Received in revised form 8 May 2018 Accepted 13 June 2018 Keywords: Graphene oxide Magnetite nanoparticles Electron microscopy FTIR Magnetic dispersibility abstract In the present work, we have successfully synthesized graphene oxide (GO) and reduced graphene oxide/magnetite (Gr@Fe 3 O 4 ) nanocomposite (NC) via modified Hummers method and co-precipitation process respectively. Microstructural and physico-chemical properties were investigated through various analytical techniques. XRD and FTIR data analyses revealed highly pure nature of the samples without any other impurity phases. Electron microscopy (SEM/TEM) images of the nanocomposite clearly exhibit uniform and well disperse spherical nanoparticles (NPs) of Fe 3 O 4 over the surface of the graphene sheets. UV-visible absorption spectroscopy indicates a red shift of the absorption band of Gr@Fe 3 O 4 NC as compared to Fe 3 O 4 NPs that suggests π-π noncovalent electrostatic interaction between the magnetic NPs and the graphene surface. The magnetic dispersibility of the NC was also explored using an external magnetic field produced by the simple bar magnets. The results affirm a higher magnetic dispersibility nature of the Gr@Fe 3 O 4 NC than the graphene oxide and Fe 3 O 4 NPs. These behaviour of the NC can be ascribed to synergistic structural and functional effect of Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles conjugate with graphene sheet. © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. * Corresponding author. E-mail address: wasiamu@gmail.com (W. Khan). 1. Introduction Graphene has attracted tremendous attention due to its out- standing properties and potential applications. More recently, graphene based nanocomposites exhibit exceptional properties https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nanoso.2018.06.003 2352-507X/© 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.