Fe3O4@m-ZrO2@Ag ternary magnetic nanocomposites for sensitive SERS sensing and photocatalytic removal of Cr(VI) and organic dyes

In this study, a crystalline mesopomus ZrO2 interlayer allowing for enrichment capability and photocatalytic activity was introduced to develop a novel magnetic Fe3O4/m-ZrO2/Ag nanocomposite combined with excellent SERS activity and photocatalytic property. The coverage of Ag nanoparticles on Fe3O4/m-ZrO2/Ag was well controlled to tune their SERS sensitivity by varying the feed amount of AgNO3. Several characterization methods were utilized to investigate their composition, morphology and crystal structure. The SERS experiments demonstrated Fe3O4/m-ZrO2/Ag nanocomposites possessed markedly SERS sensitivity, exceptional signal reproducibility and excellent storing stability. They could sense R6G and Cr (VI) at the concentrations of 10(-9) and 5 x 10(-8) M, respectively. Beyond that, the Fe3O4/m-ZrO2/Ag nanocomposites effectively accomplished recyclable detecting R6G and Cr (VI) in 5 cycles through facile photocatalytic removal of pollutants under UV irradiation. Altogether, the novel Fe3O4/m-ZrO2/Ag nanocomposites prepared in this study have high SERS sensitivity and good photocatalytic performance, which is of great significance for environmental detection and ecological restoration.

Automated summary

A novel magnetic Fe3O4/m-ZrO2/Ag nanocomposite with excellent SERS activity and photocatalytic property was developed, in which a crystalline mesoporous ZrO2 interlayer was introduced. The SERS sensitivity of Fe3O4/m-ZrO2/Ag nanocomposites was controlled by adjusting the coverage of Ag nanoparticles. These nanocomposites exhibited remarkable SERS sensitivity, exceptional signal reproducibility, and excellent storing stability, capable of detecting R6G and Cr (VI) at low concentrations. Moreover, the nanocomposites achieved recyclable detection of R6G and Cr (VI) through photocatalytic removal of pollutants under UV irradiation. Overall, the prepared Fe3O4/m-ZrO2/Ag nanocomposites have high SERS sensitivity and good photocatalytic performance, which are of great significance for environmental detection and ecological restoration.