A functional GO/AgNPs nanocomposite was obtained by in situ reduction of positively charged AgNO3 precursors which were adsorbed on the negatively charged surface of GO through electrostatic attraction. GO/Ag-Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles (GAMNs) were generated via an amidation reaction in the presence of 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethyaminopropyl) carbodiimide and N-hydroxysuccinnimide for the first time. The catalysis property of the nanocomposite was studied by degrade 4-nitrophenol. The characterized results proved that AgNPs and Fe3O4 have been successfully decorated on GO nanosheets. The GAMNs possess high catalytic capacity and good reusability, and exhibit great potential in environmental pollutant degradation. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.