Facile synthesis of ultra stable Fe3O4@Carbon core-shell nanoparticles entrapped satellite au catalysts with enhanced 4-nitrophenol reduction property

In this work, we report a facile synthesis of Fe3O4@Carbon core-shell nanoparticles (NPs) entrapped satellite Au NPs (denoted as Fe3O4@C@Au). First, multiple Au NPs are directly deposited within the resorcinol formaldehyde layer of Fe3O4@RF in the absence of any external reducing agent. Fe3O4@C@Au NPs obtained after direct carbonization of Fe3O4@RF@Au remain the well dispersion of Au NPs within the carbon layer, even after high temperature treatment at 700 degrees C. Fe3O4@C@Au NPs exhibit ultra stability, high catalytic performance, easy separation and efficient reusability for the reduction of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP). The simple synthesis method of ultra stable Fe3O4@C encapsulated with catalytic Au NPs in this work provides a platform for the preparation of other functional nanocomposites. (C) 2018 Taiwan Institute of Chemical Engineers. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.