Novel recyclable dual-heterostructured Fe3O4@CeO2/M (M = Pt, Pd and Pt–Pd) catalysts: synergetic and redox effects for superior catalytic performance

Abstract

We report the creation of highly efficient, dual-heterostructured catalysts consisting of magnetic Fe₃O₄ cores and CeO₂ shells coated with noble metal nanoparticles (NMNPs) (Pt, Pd and Pt–Pd nanoparticles). These intriguing dual-heterostructural features that favor reactant diffusion and exposure of active sites can enhance synergistic catalytic effects between the NMNPs and CeO₂ nanoparticles. The synergistic catalytic effect and redox effect features between Fe₃O₄ and CeO₂ are beneficial for superior catalytic and electrochemical performance. Impressively, the resultant Fe₃O₄@CeO₂/Pd (3 wt%) and Fe₃O₄@CeO₂/Pt (20 wt%) catalysts manifest superior catalytic efficiency and electrocatalytic reactivity toward the reduction of 4-nitrophenol and oxidation of methanol in alkaline solution, demonstrating the significance of the dual heterostructure of these recyclable catalysts. This synthetic strategy provides a new methodology for the fabrication of other high-performance and multifunctional catalysts, which would be very useful in various catalytic reactions.