Multifunctional Fe3O4@C@Ag hybrid nanoparticles: Aqueous solution preparation, characterization and photocatalytic activity

The paper describes a kind of multifunctional Fe3O4@C@Ag hybrid nanoparticles, which can be successfully synthesized using a simple route based on directly adsorption and spontaneous reduction of silver ions onto the surface shell of carbon-coated magnetic nanoparticles. The as-prepared samples have been characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectrum, vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) and UV–vis spectrum (UV–vis). The Ag nanocrystals loaded on the surface shell of carbon-coated magnetic nanoparticles are nearly spherical with an average diameter of 10 nm. And the carbonaceous polysaccharides shell obtained using an glucose hydrothermal reaction act as a role of a bridge between magnetic Fe3O4 core and noble metallic Ag nanocrystals. The as-prepared samples can be used as an effective catalyst for the photodegradation of organic dyes (neutral red) under the exposure of visible light. Results show that the as-prepared samples have a degradation rate of 93.7% for dyes within 30 min, which indicates their high-efficiency and rapid photocatalytic activity.

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► Ag-loaded Fe3O4@C magnetic-optical bifunctional materials have been investigated.
► The magnetism was studied at the room temperature.
► The photocatalytic activity was evaluated under visible light irradiation.
► Ag-loaded Fe3O4@C nanocomposites show superior magnetism and photocatalytic activity.
► A simple synthetic process was discussed.