One-pot synthesis and characterization of bifunctional Au-Fe3O4 hybrid core-shell nanoparticles

► Prepared bifunctional optical-magnetic Au-Fe3O4 hybrid core-shell nanoparticles. ► Used facile one-pot sequential reactions involving non-toxic precursors. ► Reveal well-shaped surface plasmon absorption and well-defined superparamagnetism. ► Integrate optical and magnetic functions of the respective components in one entity. ► Show enhanced magnetic susceptibility and notable red-shifting of surface plasmon.