Preparation of magnetic Fe3O4/P (GMA‐DVB)‐PEI/Pd highly efficient catalyst with core‐shell structure

In this paper, a simple route for palladium (Pd) nanoparticles attached to the surface of hollow magnetic Fe₃O₄/P (GMA‐DVB)‐polyethyleneimine (PEI) microspheres was established. Due to the large amount of imidogen groups and tertiary amine groups presenting in the PEI, Pd²⁺ ions could be anchored to the support by complexation with a polyfunctional organic ligand. Thereafter, a magnetic Pd catalyst having a high loading amount and good dispersibility was obtained by reducing Pd²⁺ ions. Afterwards, the prepared catalyst was characterized by TEM, SEM, FTIR, XRD, TGA, VSM, and UV–vis in detail. Ultimately, their catalytic activity was evaluated using the reduction of 4‐nitrophenol (4‐NP). Research showed that the Fe₃O₄/P (GMA‐DVB)‐PEI/Pd catalyst possessed high catalytic performances for the reduction of 4‐NP with a conversion rate of 98.43% within 540 s. Furthermore, the catalyst could be easily recovered and reused at least for nine successive cycles.     

Synthesis,characterization, and catalytic application of Fe3O4‐Si‐[CH2]3‐N=CH‐aryl for the efficient synthesis of novel poly‐substituted pyridines

Fe₃O₄ magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) were functionalized by aminopropylsilane and reacted with aromatic aldehyde, and Fe₃O₄‐Si‐[CH₂]₃‐N=CH‐Aryl and Fe₃O₄‐Si‐(CH₂)₃‐NH‐CH₂‐Aryl MNPs were prepared as novel magnetic nanocatalysts. Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM) were used to identify the MNPs. The catalytic activity of the MNPs was evaluated in the one‐pot synthesis of some novel poly‐substituted pyridine derivatives.     

Preparation and characterization of Fe3O4@Boehmite core‐shell nanoparticles to support molybdenum or vanadium complexes for catalytic epoxidation of alkenes

Fe₃O₄ core nanoparticles were prepared via a solvothermal process, and then they were covered with a surface hydroxyl‐rich boehmite shell via the hydrothermal‐assisted sol–gel processing of aluminum 2‐propoxide. The outer surface of the boehmite shell was subsequently covalently functionalized with 3‐(tri‐methoxysilyl)‐propylamine or 3‐(tri‐methoxysilyl)‐propyl chloride, and the terminal chlorine groups were treated with imidazole. These compounds were used to support the hexa‐carbonyl molybdenum and oxo‐sulfato vanadium (IV) complexes. The supported catalysts were characterized by the FT‐IR, CHN, ICP, and TEM analysis techniques. They were then used in the epoxidation of cis‐cyclooctene. The catalytic procedures were optimized for different parameters such as the solvent, oxidant, and temperature. The reaction progress was investigated by the gas–liquid chromatography analysis. The catalysts used were simply recovered from the solution by applying a magnet, and recycling the experiments revealed that the heterogeneous nanocatalysts could be repeatedly used for the epoxidation of cis‐cyclooctene. The optimized conditions were also successfully used for the epoxidation of some other alkenes.     

Ni@Pd core–shell nanoparticles immobilized on yolk–shell Fe3O4@polyaniline composites as a highly efficient,magnetically separable and atom‐economical catalyst for reduction of nitrobenzenes

The preparation of Ni@Pd core–shell nanoparticles immobilized on yolk–shell Fe₃O₄@polyaniline composites is reported. Fe₃O₄ nanoclusters were first synthesized through the solvothermal method and then the SiO₂ shell was coated on the Fe₃O₄ surface via a sol–gel process. To prepare Fe₃O₄@SiO₂@polyaniline composites, polyvinylpyrrolidone was first grafted on to the surface of Fe₃O₄@SiO₂ composites and subsequently polymerization of aniline was carried out via an ultrasound‐assisted in situ surface polymerization method. Selective etching of the middle SiO₂ layer was then accomplished to obtain the yolk–shell Fe₃O₄@polyaniline composites. The approach uses polyaniline (PANI) conductive polymer as a template for the synthesis of Ni@Pd core–shell nanoparticles. The catalytic activity of the synthesized yolk–shell Fe₃O₄@PANI/Ni@Pd composite was investigated in the reduction of o‐nitroaniline to benzenediamine by NaBH₄, which exhibited conversion of 99% in 3 min with a very low content of the catalyst. Transmission electron microscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, TGA, X‐ray diffraction, UV–visible, scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray energy dispersion spectroscopy and FT‐IR were employed to characterize the synthesized nanocatalyst. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

One‐pot synthesis of composite microspheres with core‐shell structure

One‐pot synthesis of thermoresponsive magnetic composite microspheres with a poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) shell and a Fe₃O₄ core is demonstrated. Temperature sensitivity of PNIPAM was adopted to design the novel synthesis pathway. The as‐prepared composite microspheres have an obvious core‐shell structure with a mean size of approximately 250 nm. The Fe₃O₄ core is approximately 5 nm and the thickness of the PNIPAM shell is approximately 10 nm. The content of Fe₃O₄ in the composite microspheres can be controlled by this method. The composite microspheres experience a swelling and shrinking process in water by adjusting the temperature below and above the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) around 32 °C. These microspheres also show fine response to an external magnetic field. This work presents a platform to synthesize organic/inorganic composite microspheres in a facile and efficient approach. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2013, 51, 2702–2708     

Synthesis of a highly active amino‐functionalized Fe3O4@SiO2/APTS/Ru magnetic nanocomposite catalyst for hydrogenation reactions

An amino‐functionalized silica‐coated Fe₃O₄ nanocomposite (Fe₃O₄@SiO₂/APTS) was synthesized. The Fe₃O₄@SiO₂ microspheres possessed a well‐defined core–shell structure, uniform sizes and high magnetization. An immobilized ruthenium nanoparticle catalyst (Fe₃O₄@SiO₂/APTS/Ru) was obtained after coordination and reduction of Ru³⁺ on the Fe₃O₄@SiO₂/APTS nanocomposite. The Ru nanoparticles were not only ultra‐small with nearly monodisperse sizes but also had strong affinity with the surface of Fe₃O₄@SiO₂/APTS. The obtained catalyst exhibited excellent catalytic performance for the hydrogenation of a variety of aromatic nitro compounds, even at room temperature. Moreover, Fe₃O₄@SiO₂/APTS/Ru was easily recovered using a magnetic field and directly reused for at least five cycles without significant loss of its activity.     

Waste to wealth: conversion of nano‐magnetic eggshell (Fe3O4@Eggshell) to Fe3O4@Ca(HSO4)2: cheap,green and environment‐friendly solid acid catalyst

Eggshell is a hazardous waste by European Union regulations, so that discarded thousands of tons per year. To convert waste (eggshell) to wealth (catalyst), nano‐magnetic eggshell was prepared based on the nano‐Fe₃O₄, and then the eggshell was converted to Ca(HSO₄)₂ with organic acid, namely, chlorosulfonic acid. Based on the back titration, 5.18 mmol SO₄H group was loaded per gram of the nano‐structure. Using this method eggshell was converted to cheap, green and environment‐friendly solid acid catalyst. The prepared catalyst (nano‐ Fe₃O₄@Ca(HSO₄)₂) was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). The activity of eggshell waste‐derived catalysts was successfully evaluated in the synthesis of value‐added products, namely indazolo[1,2‐b]‐phthalazinetrione derivatives as a benchmark multicomponent reaction. In addition, design of experiments shows that increase in amount of catalyst (and temperature), boost the reaction yield, especially with steeper slope at higher temperature.     

Preparation and characterization of Fe_3O_4/Au composite particles

Colloid gold with different sizes has been widely used in immunoassay and nucleic acid detection mainly because of their properties for immobilization of biomolecules, such as antibodies and oligonucleo-tides, through chemical reactions via active group SH on the biomolecules. Magnetic particles modified with various chemical groups on their surface can not only exhibit good magnetic responsiveness to an external magnetic field but also immobilize biomolecules through these chemical groups. As…     

Magnetically recyclable palladium nanoparticles (Fe3O4‐Pd) for oxidative coupling between amides and olefins at room temperature

A convenient method for the synthesis of magnetically recyclable palladium nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄‐Pd) is described. The catalytic application of the Fe₃O₄‐Pd nanoparticles was explored for the first time in oxidative coupling between amides and olefins. p‐Toluenesulfonic acid plays a significant role in the oxidative amidation reaction. The reaction proceeds at room temperature, resulting in (Z)‐enamides under ambient air in the absence of co‐catalyst and ligand. The superparamagnetic nature of Fe₃O₄‐Pd facilitates easy, quantitative recovery of the catalyst from a reaction mixture, and it can be reused for up to three consecutive cycles with a slight decrease in catalytic activity.     

Palladium immobilized on amidoxime‐functionalized magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles: a highly stable and efficient magnetically recoverable nanocatalyst for sonogashira coupling reaction

We describe the synthesis of a novel Fe₃O₄/amidoxime (AO)/Pd nanocatalyst by grafting of AO groups on Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles and subsequent deposition of Pd nanoparticles. Prior to grafting of AO, the 2‐cyanoethyl‐functionalized Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles prepared through combining 2‐cyanoethyltriethoxysilane and Fe₃O₄ were treated with hydroxylamine. The AO‐grafted Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles were then used as a platform for the deposition of Pd nanoparticles. The catalyst was characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, scanning and transmission electron microscopies, vibrating sample magnetometry, wavelength‐ and energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopies and inductively coupled plasma analysis. Fe₃O₄/AO/Pd is novel phosphine‐free recyclable heterogeneous catalyst for Sonogashira reactions. Interestingly, the novel catalyst could be recovered in a facile manner from the reaction mixture by applying an external magnet device and recycled seven times without any significant loss in activity. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Supramolecular Fe3O4@PEG/−diaza crown ether@Ni: a novel magnetically reusable nano catalyst for the clean synthesis of 2‐aryl‐2,3‐dihydroquinazolin‐4(1H)‐ones

Ni@diaza crown ether complex supported on magnetic nanoparticle was provided by grafting technique. The catalytic activity of Fe₃O₄@diaza crown ether@Ni was explored through one‐pot synthesis of 2,3‐dihydroquinazolin‐4(1H)‐ones and it was used as an efficient and recoverably constant nanocatalyst. FT‐IR, SEM, TEM, XRD, BET, ICP, EDS, and TGA techniques were employed to specify the nanocatalyst. This heterogeneous catalyst demonstrated acceptable recyclability and could be used again several times with no considerable loss of its catalytic activity.     

Application of the Fe3O4@1,10‐phenanthroline‐5,6‐diol@Mn nano‐catalyst for the green synthesis of tetrazoles and its biological performance

The Fe₃O₄ magnetic particles were modified with 1,10‐phenanthroline‐5,6‐diol (Phen) and the related Mn complex (Fe₃O₄@Phen@Mn) synthesized as a heterogeneous catalyst to be used for the one‐pot three‐component synthesis of various tetrazoles. The catalysts were characterized by several methods, such as the elemental analysis, FT‐IR, X‐ray powder diffraction, dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, thermogravimetric‐differential thermal analysis, vibrating sample magnetometer and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. In addition, the antioxidant and antibacterial activities of the catalyst and its Phen ligand were in vitro screened with 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl by free radical scavenging methods. Results showed that the synthesized compounds possess strong antioxidant activity (IC50; 0.172  ±  0.005 mg ml^?1) as well as a good antibacterial potential in comparison to standards.     

Fabrication and characterization of double‐shelled CeO2‐La2O3/Au/Fe3O4 hollow architecture as a recyclable and highly thermal stability nanocatalyst

A novel magnetic binary‐metal‐oxide‐coated nanocataly composing of a hollow Fe₃O₄ core and CeO₂‐La₂O₃ shells with Au nanoparticles encapsulated has been created in this work. The structural features of catalysts were characterized by several techniques, including SEM, TEM, UV‐vis, FTIR, XRD, XPS and TGA analyses. After the coating of CeO₂‐La₂O₃ layer, CeO₂‐La₂O₃/Au/C/Fe₃O₄ microspheres showed a superior thermal stability and catalytic reactivity compared with a pure CeO₂ or La₂O₃ layer. Accompanied by the burning of carbon layer, the specific surface could be increased by the formation of double‐shelled structure. Besides, the desired samples could be separated by magnet, implying the superior recycle performance. Using the reduction of 4‐nitrophenol by NaBH₄ as a model reaction, the microspheres exhibited highly reusability, superior catalytic activity, thermal stability, which are attributed to the unique double‐shelled structure of the support, uniform distribution of Au nanoparticles, the highly thermal stability of CeO₂‐La₂O₃ layer and mixed oxide synergistic effect. As a consequence, the unique nanocatalyst will open a promising way in the fabrication of the double‐shelled hollow binary‐metal‐oxide materials for future research and has great potential in other applications.     

Synthesis and characteristics of poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide‐co‐methacrylic acid)/Fe3O4/poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide‐co‐methacrylic acid) two‐shell thermosensitive magnetic composite hollow latex particles

In this study, the poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide‐methylacrylate acid)/Fe₃O₄/poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide‐methylacrylate acid) (poly(NIPAAm‐MAA)/Fe₃O₄/poly(NIPAAm‐MAA)) two‐shell magnetic composite hollow latex particles were synthesized by four steps. The poly(methyl methacrylate‐co‐methylacrylate acid) (poly(MMA‐MAA)) copolymer latex particles were synthesized first. Then, the second step was to polymerize NIPAAm, MAA, and crosslinking agent in the presence of poly(MMA‐MAA) latex particles to form the linear poly(MMA‐MAA)/crosslinking poly(NIPAAm‐MAA) core–shell latex particles. Then, the core–shell latex particles were heated in the presence of NH₄OH to dissolve the linear poly(MMA‐MAA) core to form the poly(NIPAAm‐MAA) hollow latex particles. In the third step, the Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles were generated in the presence of poly(NIPAAm‐MAA) hollow polymer latex particles and formed the poly(NIPAAm‐MAA)/Fe₃O₄ magnetic composite hollow latex particles. The fourth step was to synthesize poly(NIPAAm‐MAA) in the presence of poly(NIPAAm‐MAA)/Fe₃O₄ latex particles to form the poly(NIPAAm‐MAA)/Fe₃O₄/poly(NIPAAm‐MAA) two‐shell magnetic composite hollow latex particles. The effect of various variables such as reactant concentration, monomer ratio, and pH value on the morphology and volume‐phase transition temperature of two‐shell magnetic composite hollow latex particles was studied. Moreover, the latex particles were used as carriers to load with caffeine, and the caffeine‐loading characteristics and caffeine release rate of latex particles were also studied. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2013, 51, 2880–2891     

Preparation and characterization of Fe3O4@SiO2/APTPOSS core–shell composite nanomagnetics as a novel family of reusable catalysts and their application in the one‐pot synthesis of 1,3‐thiazolidin‐4‐one derivatives

Octakis[3‐(3‐aminopropyltriethoxysilane)propyl]octasilsesquioxane (APTPOSS) as a polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane derivative was prepared and used as a pioneer reagent to obtain a novel core–shell composite using magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles as the core and the inorganic–organic hybrid polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane as the shell. Fe₃O₄@SiO₂/APTPOSS were confirmed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, thermogravimetric analysis, X‐ray diffraction and vibrating sample magnetometry. The inorganic–organic hybrid polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane magnetic nanoparticles were used as an efficient new heterogeneous catalyst for the one‐pot three‐component synthesis of 1,3‐thiazolidin‐4‐ones under solvent‐free conditions. Moreover, these nanoparticles could be easily separated using an external magnet and then reused several times without significant loss of catalytic activity. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Novel synthesis of Fe2O3–Pt ellipsoids coated by double‐shelled La2O3 as a catalyst for the reduction of 4‐nitrophenol

A facile strategy is reported for the fabrication of Pt‐loaded core–shell nanocomposite ellipsoids (Fe₂O₃‐Pt@DSL) consisting of ellipsoidal Fe₂O₃ cores, double‐layered La₂O₃ shells and deposited Pt nanoparticles (NPs). The formation of the doubled‐shelled structure uses Fe₂O₃‐Pt@mSiO₂ as template sacrificial agent and it involves the re‐deposition of silica and self‐assembly of metal oxide units. The preparation methods of double‐shelled metal oxides avoid repeated coating and etching and could be utilized to fabricate other shaped double‐shelled composites. Characterization results indicated that the Fe₂O₃‐Pt@DSL nanocomposites possessed mesoporous structure and tunable shell thickness. Moreover, due to the formation of Fe₂O₃ and La₂O₃ composites, Pt NPs can also be stabilized via deposition on chemically active oxides with a synergistic effect. Therefore, as a catalyst for the reduction of 4‐nitrophenol, Fe₂O₃‐Pt@DSL showed superior catalytic activity and reusability due to structural superiority and enhanced composite synergy. Finally, well‐dispersed Pt NPs were encapsulated into the void between the shell layers to construct the Fe₂O₃‐Pt@DSL‐Pt catalyst.     

Ceramic Filter Balls Loaded with α-Fe2O3 and Their Application to NH3-N Wastewater Treatment

Hydrolysis reaction of Fe(NO₃)₃ at a high temperature in the presence of urea as the homogeneous precipitant was studied. With the prepared ceramic filter balls loaded with α-Fe₂O₃ after high temperature calcination, the loading of α-Fe₂O₃ on the porous ceramic filter balls from Fe(NO₃)₃ solutions of different concentrations and mechanical stability of the loaded α-Fe₂O₃ were studied. The product was characterized using XRD and SEM. Adsorption experiments were conducted to evaluate the performance of the product in adsorbing NH₃-N. It turned out that the specific surface area of the ceramic filter balls loaded with α-Fe₂O₃ had increased to 36.5387 m²/g from original 4.6127 m²/g. When the concentration of Fe(NO₃)₃ was 0.40 mol/L, the loading of α-Fe₂O₃ on the ceramic filter balls accounted for 8.4% of the total mass of the adsorbent and α-Fe₂O₃ was adsorbed on the filter balls very well. The adsorption isotherm of NH₃-N on the ceramic filter ball adsorbent loaded with α-Fe₂O₃ was of Langmuir type. The saturated adsorption capacity was 3.33 mg/L, and the adsorption constant K was 0.1873. NH₃-N was adsorbed by α-Fe₂O₃ more easily, which was a kind of specific adsorption.     

Fe3O4@TiO2@O2PO2(CH2)NHSO3H as a novel nanomagnetic catalyst: Application to the preparation of 2‐amino‐4,6‐diphenylnicotinonitriles via anomeric‐based oxidation

A new, green and reusable nanomagnetic heterogeneous catalyst, namely Fe₃O₄@TiO₂@O₂PO₂(CH₂)NHSO₃H, was synthesized and fully characterized using suitable techniques such as infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, scanning and transmission electron microscopies, thermogravimetry, vibrating sample magnetometry and energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy. The applicability of the constructed heterogeneous core–shell catalyst as a promoter was successfully explored for the synthesis of 2‐amino‐4,6‐diphenylnicotinonitrile derivatives upon the reaction of a good range of aromatic aldehydes, acetophenone derivatives, malononitrile and ammonium acetate. The desired products were obtained with good to high yields in short reaction times under solvent‐free conditions. The suggested mechanism offers an anomeric‐based oxidation route to the products in the final step of the synthetic pathway.     

Copper immobilized on aminated ferrite nanoparticles by 2‐aminoethyl dihydrogen phosphate (Fe3O4@AEPH2‐CuII) catalyses the conversion of aldoximes to nitriles

Cu^II immobilized on aminated ferrite nanoparticles by 2‐aminoethyl dihydrogen phosphate (Fe₃O₄@AEPH₂‐Cu^II) was prepared and characterized using FT‐IR, TGA, TEM, EDX, VSM, XRD, CHN and ICP techniques. The easily prepared heterogeneous nanocatalyst demonstrated a significant catalytic performance for the transformation of aldoximes to nitriles that is far superior to previously reported methods. The reaction allows for the conversion of a wide variety of aldoximes including aromatic, aliphatic and heterocyclic aldoximes in good to excellent yields (50–98%). High efficiency, mild reaction conditions, easy work‐up, operational simplicity, simple purification of products and safe handling of the catalyst are important advantages of this method. In addition, the environmentally benign heterogeneous nanocatalyst can be easily recovered from reaction mixtures using an external magnet and reused several times without any loss of activity. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.