α-Fe2O3/PPy/Ag functional hybrid nanomaterials with core/shell structure: Synthesis, characterization and catalytic activity

Nanocomposites with core/shell structure composed of hematite (α-Fe2O3), polypyrrole (PPy) and silver have been successfully synthesized with a three-step reaction process. First, semispherical cores of α-Fe2O3 were prepared by the forced hydrolysis of FeCl3. Next, pyrrole was polymerized in the suspension of α-Fe2O3 and then composite carrier with α-Fe2O3 as core and PPy as shell was produced. Last, a surface reduction-oxidation was carried out between PPy and silver nitrate so as to produce α-Fe2O3/PPy/Ag nanocomposites. The as-prepared nanoparticles were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and cyclic voltammogram (CV), furthermore, the effects of reaction conditions on the morphology of nanocomposites were studied in detail. The α-Fe2O3/PPy/Ag nanocomposites exhibit excellent electrochemical activity and chemical catalytic properties in the reduction reaction of m-nitrobenzene sulfonic sodium (m-NBS) at room temperature. To our knowledge, the α-Fe2O3/PPy/Ag nanocomposites have not been reported.

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► Nanocomposites composed of hematite, polypyrrole and silver were synthesized.
► A surface redox between PPy and silver salt was used.
► The nanocomposites were with typical core/shell structure.
► Nanocomposites showed good electrochemical property.
► Nanocomposites present catalytic activity in the reduction of m-NBS.