Spectroscopic characterization of magnetic Fe3O4@Au core shell nanoparticles

• Fe3O4 magnetic NPs were successfully prepared through co-precipitation method.
• The Fe3O4 NPs have narrow size distribution and strong magnetization properties.
• Au/Fe3O4 core/shell was prepared by reducing HAuCl4 in presence of Fe3O4 NPs.
• Fe3O4 NPs and Au/Fe3O4 core/shell were used for photo-degradation of malathion.

The magnetic nanoparticles iron oxide (Fe3O4) nanoparticles and iron oxide/gold core–shell (Fe3O4/Au) nanoparticles were synthesized and their catalytic photo-degradation activity towards malathion as example of organophosphorus pesticides were reported. Iron oxide (Fe3O4) magnetic nanoparticle was successfully prepared through co-precipitation method by the reduction of ferric chloride (FeCl3) using ascorbic acid. The morphology of the prepared nanoparticles was characterized by the TEM and XRD (X-ray diffraction) techniques. Degradation of 10 ppm of malathion in the presence of these nanoparticles under UV radiation was monitored using (HPLC) and UV–visible spectra. Fe3O4/Au nanoparticles showed higher efficiency in photo-degradation of malathion than Fe3O4 ones.

The time dependent photodegradation of malathion in a UV lamp after addition of 10−4 Fe3O4@Au.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide