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Abstract A novel Shewanella @graphene core-shell composite material was fabricated following one-step bioreduction of graphene oxide (GO) by Shewanella putrefaciens CN-32. The surface properties and microstructures were characterized by FTIR, TG-DTG, SEM and TEM, which indicate that GO was effectively reduced to rGO and subsequently loaded onto the outer surface of the microbe Shewanella. CLSM was performed to get insight into the growth of the bacteria after core-shell materials formation. The reduction properties of Shewanella @graphene materials were evaluated using nitrobenzene, a representative model pollutant, as an electron acceptor. The reduction efficiency of Shewanella was improved by strengthening the contact among electron donors, electron shuttles and electron acceptors and changed with the proportions of core-shell materials. The optimal proportion of the core-shell material was OD600 = 0.6:GO = 10 mg/L, which was enhanced by the wrapped rGO and improved adsorption capability. The reduction rate was elevated 30% in comparison with pure Shewanella. In addition, the core-shell material exhibited a favorable recycling performance, which can be reused for at least five times. Facile fabrication and enhanced reduction performance of Shewanella @graphene core-shell composite endows this material with considerable potential in environmental remediation. Graphical abstract Unlabelled Image Highlights • A novel Shewanella @graphene core-shell material was fabricated via a one-step method. • Graphene oxide (GO) was effectively converted into reduced GO by Shewanella CN-32. • rGO was subsequently loaded onto the outer surface of the microbe Shewanella. • The reduction efficiency of Shewanella was improved by the presence of rGO. • rGO was functioned as additional sites and electron shuttles for nitrobenzene reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]