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Published on: September 19, 2020
Enhanced Catalytic Reduction of 4-Nitrophenol Driven by Fe₃O₄-Au Magnetic Nanocomposite Interface Engineering: From
Yue Chen1,2, Yuanyuan Zhang3,4, Qiangwei Kou5,6
1College of Physics, Jilin Normal University, Siping 136000, China. 17649973053@163.com.
Abstract:
In this work, we report the enhanced catalytic reduction of 4-nitrophenol driven by Fe₃O₄-Au magnetic nanocomposite interface engineering. A facile solvothermal method is employed for Fe₃O₄ hollow microspheres and Fe₃O₄-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 Fe₃O₄-Au magnetic nanocomposites. By adjusting the quantity of Au seeds coating on the polyethyleneimine-dithiocarbamates (PEI-DTC)-modified surfaces of Fe₃O₄ hollow microspheres, the correlation between the amount of Au seeds and the catalytic ability of Fe₃O₄-Au magnetic nanocomposites for 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) is investigated systematically. Importantly, bearing remarkable recyclable features, our developed Fe₃O₄-Au magnetic nanocomposites can be readily separated with a magnet. Such Fe₃O₄-Au magnetic nanocomposites shine the light on highly efficient catalysts for 4-NP reduction at the mass production level.
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