Enhanced Catalytic Reduction of 4-Nitrophenol Driven by Fe(3)O(4)-Au Magnetic Nanocomposite Interface Engineering: From Facile Preparation to Recyclable Application

In this work, we report the enhanced catalytic reduction of 4-nitrophenol driven by Fe(3)O(4)-Au magnetic nanocomposite interface engineering. A facile solvothermal method is employed for Fe(3)O(4) hollow microspheres and Fe(3)O(4)-Au magnetic nanocomposite synthesis via a seed deposition process. Complementary structural, chemical composition and valence state studies validate that the as-obtained samples are formed in a pure magnetite phase. A series of characterizations including conventional scanning/transmission electron microscopy (SEM/TEM), Mössbauer spectroscopy, magnetic testing and elemental mapping is conducted to unveil the structural and physical characteristics of the developed Fe(3)O(4)-Au magnetic nanocomposites. By adjusting the quantity of Au seeds coating on the polyethyleneimine-dithiocarbamates (PEI-DTC)-modified surfaces of Fe(3)O(4) hollow microspheres, the correlation between the amount of Au seeds and the catalytic ability of Fe(3)O(4)-Au magnetic nanocomposites for 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) is investigated systematically. Importantly, bearing remarkable recyclable features, our developed Fe(3)O(4)-Au magnetic nanocomposites can be readily separated with a magnet. Such Fe(3)O(4)-Au magnetic nanocomposites shine the light on highly efficient catalysts for 4-NP reduction at the mass production level.