Recyclable chestnut-like Fe3O4@C@ZnSnO3 core–shell particles for the photocatalytic degradation of 2,5-dichlorophenol

Abstract

Numerous efforts have been made to integrate nanorods into 3D ordered multifunctional architectures. Herein, we report a rational design and the successful fabrication of a novel chestnut-like Fe₃O₄@C@ZnSnO₃ core–shell hierarchical structure. Reactive Zn and Sn colloids obtained using laser ablation in liquids were used as non-ion precursors to intentionally grow ZnSnO₃ nanorods onto the surfaces of core–shell Fe₃O₄@C particles under solvothermal conditions. The core–shell hierarchical structures were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), X-ray diffraction, and a superconducting quantum interference device magnetometer (Quantum Design MPMS). The results showed that the Fe₃O₄@C particles served as nucleation sites for the oriented growth of ZnSnO₃ nanorods on the surfaces of the carbon layer. The synthesized core–shell composite exhibited cyclic photocatalytic ability toward the degradation of 2,5-dichlorophenol model molecules because of the compact assembly of the magnetic Fe₃O₄ core, the active ZnSnO₃ photocatalyst, and a protective carbon layer.