Fabrication of magnetic bimetallic Fe3O4@Au–Pd hybrid nanoparticles with recyclable and efficient catalytic properties†
Abstract
Bimetallic nanostructures show exciting potential as materials for effective catalysis. Magnetically recoverable bimetallic nanoparticles are promising catalysts for chemical reactions. Here, Fe3O4@Pd and Fe3O4@Au–Pd hybrid nanoparticles were synthesized and used as catalysts. The morphology, composition, and structure of the Fe3O4@Pd and Fe3O4@Au–Pd hybrid nanoparticles were fully characterized by scanning and transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, high angle annular dark-field scanning TEM, X-ray powder diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, etc. The Fe3O4@Pd and Fe3O4@Au–Pd nanoparticles show excellent catalytic activity towards the reduction of nitrophenols and potassium hexacyanoferrate(III). In addition, the magnetic bimetallic heterogeneous nanoparticles can be easily recycled, showing good reusability; conversion higher than 99% was achieved after 6 cycles.