Induction heating: an efficient methodology for the synthesis of functional core–shell nanoparticles

Abstract

Induction heating has been applied for a variety of purposes over the years, including hyperthermia-induced cell death, industrial manufacturing, and heterogeneous catalysis. However, its potential in materials synthesis has not been extensively studied. Herein, we have demonstrated magnetic induction heating-assisted synthesis of core–shell nanoparticles starting from a magnetic core. The induction heating approach allows an easy synthesis of FeNi₃@Mo and Fe_2.2C@Mo nanoparticles containing a significantly higher amount of molybdenum on the surface than similar materials synthesized using conventional heating. Exhaustive electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy characterization data are presented to establish the core–shell structures. Furthermore, the molybdenum shell was transformed into the Mo₂C phase, and the catalytic activity of the resulting nanoparticles tested for the propane dry reforming reaction under induction heating. Lastly, the beneficial role of induction heating-mediated synthesis was extended toward the preparation of the FeNi₃@WO_x core–shell nanoparticles.