Low-temperature synthesis of magnetically recoverable, superparamagnetic, photocatalytic, nanocomposite particles

► A new method for the synthesis of superparamagnetic, photocatalytic, nanocomposite particles. ► Coating of clusters of maghemite nanoparticles with an anatase layer using the hydrolysis of aqueous TiOSO4. ► A nanocrystalline titania layer, with anatase crystallites from 4 to 6 nm in size. ► The photocatalytic activity increases with an increase in the thickness and the crystallinity of the anatase layer.