Preparation of a novel Fe3O4@SiO2@Ni–La–B magnetic core–shell nanocomposite for catalytic hydrogenation

A novel Fe3O4@SiO2@Ni–La–B magnetic core–shell nanocomposite was prepared by a combination of the Stöber method and self-assembly. In this process, Fe3O4 nanoparticles were first coated with amorphous silica, forming Fe3O4@SiO2 core–shell structural nanocomposites. Ni2+ and La3+ were then loaded onto the surface of Fe3O4@SiO2, followed by reduction with KBH4 to assemble a layer of Ni–La–B onto the surface of Fe3O4@SiO2. The obtained Fe3O4@SiO2@Ni–La–B core–shell nanocomposite has high saturation magnetization (20.6 emu/g), compared to that of Ni–La–B (only 0.4 emu/g). This magnetic core–shell nanocomposite showed high activity and good selectivity in the catalytic hydrogenation of benzophenone to benzhydrol, and can be easily separated and recycled after reaction.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► A novel Fe3O4@SiO2@Ni–La–B magnetic core–shell nanocomposite was first prepared. ► It has multiple Fe3O4 cores, an amorphous SiO2 shell and an outer Ni–La–B shell. ► It has high saturation magnetization and can be easily separated. ► It shows high activity and good selectivity in catalytic hydrogenation.