'Green' synthesis of magnetic core-shell FeO@SN-Ag towards efficient reduction of 4-nitrophenol.

This work presented a novel, facile, cost-effective and environmentally friendly approach for the preparation of magnetic core-shell structured catalyst i.e. FeO@SN-Ag (abbreviation of FeO@SiO-NH-Ag). During the process of preparation, Ag nanoparticles were in situ generated with amino groups in the surface of FeO@SN serving as green reductant and stabilizer in the absence of any additional toxic reductant or organic reagent. Magnetic core, FeO, was easily prepared through solvothermal method. The subsequent coating and surface amino functionalization of SiO was accomplished via one-pot sol-gel method, which was green and time-saving. What's more, the resulting catalyst exhibited excellent catalytic property (the reaction was finished within 2 min) and reusability (reused at least seven times) in the reduction of 4-nitrophenol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]