A novel magnetic RGO/ZnO/ZnFe2O4 composite was synthesized by a two step method. The phase formation, structure, morphology and chemical states were characterized by XRD, FESEM, TEM, FT-IR, Raman and XPS. The results showed that the composite consisted of a core–shell structure of ZnO/ZnFe2O4 coated with nearly transparent flake-like RGO. The photocatalytic effect of the composite was obviously better than that of single ZnO and ZnO/ZnFe2O4. The optimal sample was RGO/ZnO/ZnFe2O4-3 (the weight ratio of graphene to ZnO/ZnFe2O4 was 3%) which exhibited the best photocatalytic efficiency of 98.64% after 60 min under visible light irradiation for decolorization of MB. The reusability of RGO/ZnO/ZnFe2O4-3 was excellent because of the magnetic ZnFe2O4 which can be recycled using a magnet or constant magnetic field.
