One-pot facile synthesis of reusable tremella-like M1@M2@M1(OH)2 (M1 = Co, Ni, M2 = Pt/Pd, Pt, Pd and Au) three layers core–shell nanostructures as highly efficient catalysts

Abstract

In this work, a general, facile, successive and eco-friendly method for multilayer nanostructures has been established for the first time. We take full advantage of the structural and compositional character of M₁@M₂ (M₁ = Co, Ni, M₂ = Pt/Pd, Pt, Pd and Au) core–shell nanostructures to prepare a series of reusable tremella-like M₁@M₂@M₁(OH)₂ three layer core–shell or yolk–shell nanocomposites with a magnetic core, a porous noble metal shell, and an ultrathin cobalt or nickel hydroxide shell. We evaluated their catalytic performance using a model reaction based on the reduction of 4-nitrophenol. These novel M₁@M₂@M₁(OH)₂ nanomaterials with a unique internal micro environment promoted the efficiency of the catalytic reaction, prolonged the service life of the catalyst and enhanced the overall activity of the catalyst in the catalytic process. The novel three layer core–shell nanocomposites can be extended to other applications such as biomedical detection, energy conversion and storage systems.