A novel thermal decomposition approach for the synthesis of silica-iron oxide core–shell nanoparticles

A simple thermal decomposition approach for the synthesis of magnetic nanoparticles consisting of silica as core and iron oxide nanoparticles as shell has been reported. The iron oxide nanoparticles were deposited on the silica spheres (mean diameter = 244 ± 13 nm) by the thermal decomposition of iron (III) acetylacetonate, in diphenyl ether, in the presence of SiO2. The core–shell nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, field emission-scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X-ray analysis, transmission electron microscopy, diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, and magnetic measurements. The results confirm the presence of iron oxide nanoparticles on the silica core. The core–shell nanoparticles are superparamagnetic at room temperature indicating the presence of iron oxide nanoparticles on silica. The core–shell nanoparticles have been demonstrated as good photocatalyst for the degradation of Rhodamine B.

► Silica-iron oxide core–shell nanoparticles have been synthesized by a novel thermal decomposition approach.
► The silica-iron oxide core–shell nanoparticles are superparamagnetic at room temperature.
► The silica-iron oxide core–shell nanoparticles serve as good photocatalyst for the degradation of Rhodamine B.