Superparamagnetic Ag@Fe3O4 core–shell nanospheres: fabrication, characterization and application as reusable nanocatalysts

Abstract

Superparamagnetic Ag@Fe₃O₄ nanospheres with core–shell nanostructures have been prepared by a facile one-pot method. The diameter of the as-synthesized nanospheres was about 200 nm and the core sizes were between 50 and 100 nm. By varying the concentrations, particles with tunable core size and total size are successfully achieved. Time dependent experiments were constructed to investigate the synthesis mechanism, which indicated that the present method corresponded to an Ostwald ripening progress. The BET area of the core–shell nanospheres is about 22.6 m²/g and this result indicates that the product shows a porous character. The saturated magnetization of the superparamagnetic Ag@Fe₃O₄ nanospheres is 27.4 emu g⁻¹ at room temperature, which enables them to be recycled from the solution by simply applying a small magnet. Due to the unique nanostructure, these particles show high performance in catalytic reduction of 4-nitrophenol and can be used as reusable nanocatalysts.