Preparation and characterization of Fe3O4@SiO2@TiO2@Pd and Fe3O4@SiO2@TiO2@Pd–Ag nanocomposites and their utilization in enhanced degradation systems and rapid magnetic separation

Abstract

Two new palladium catalysts immobilized on modified magnetic nanoparticles with titanium dioxide shells (Fe₃O₄@SiO₂@TiO₂@Pd and Fe₃O₄@SiO₂@TiO₂@Pd–Ag nanocomposites) were synthesized and characterized using XRD, SEM, TEM, VSM, EDS, DRS and IR techniques. These catalytic systems showed high activity in the photodegradation of rhodamine B under UV irradiation. The activity of these catalysts was compared and the results showed a higher activity for the Fe₃O₄@SiO₂@TiO₂@Pd–Ag nanocomposite due to a synergic effect between silver and palladium. The supported catalysts have the advantage of being completely recoverable with the simple application of an external magnetic field.