Magnetically recyclable catalytic activity of spiky magneto-plasmonic nanoparticles

Abstract

Spiky magnetoplasmonic nanoparticles (NPs) with an Fe₃O₄ core and epitaxial Au branches have been successfully fabricated for the magnetically recyclable catalysis of the 4-nitrophenol reduction. The epitaxial Au branches in the spiky magnetoplasmonic NPs lead to enhanced catalytic activity. Because of high magnetization, the spiky NPs exhibit good separation ability and reusability, which can be repeatedly applied for the nearly complete reduction of 4-nitrophenol for at least four successive cycles. The unique properties make spiky magnetoplasmonic NPs an ideal platform to study various heterogeneous catalytic processes that can be potentially applied in a wide variety of fields in bio-separation, catalysis, and sensing devices.