A facile approach for the synthesis of magnetic separable Fe3O4@TiO2, core–shell nanocomposites as highly recyclable photocatalysts

A facile and efficient approach for the fabrication of Fe3O4@TiO2 nanocomposites with a good core–shell structure has been demonstrated. The approach employed involved the coating of successive titania shell on Fe3O4 core using a mixed solvent method with the catalysis of ammonia followed by the crystallization of TiO2 through solvothermal method. The as-obtained core–shell structure was composed of a central Fe3O4 core with a strong response to external fields, whereas the outer titanium oxide coating was useful for the degradation of organic contaminants. The results showed that Fe3O4@TiO2 nanocomposites exhibited high degree of crystallinity, excellent magnetic properties at room temperature. Furthermore, the as-prepared Fe3O4@TiO2 nanocomposites exhibited good photocatalytic activity toward the degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) solution, which meant that they can be used as efficient and conveniently recoverable photocatalysts. In addition, the mechanism of coating by ammonia catalysis was also investigated.