Facile construction of dual functional Fe3O4@C-MoO2-Ni composites for catalysis and adsorption

We present here a novel, simple, low cost and green synthetic strategy for unique core-shell structured Fe3O4@C-MoO2-Ni composites without using extra reducing agent. The Fe3O4@C-MoO2-Ni composites exhibited better catalytic performance (reduction of 4-nitrophenol to 4-aminophenol) than previous common catalysts because highly dense satellite Ni nanoparticles firmly distributed on the porous carbon spheres. In addition, the Fe3O4@C-MoO2-Ni composites can be used as a pollutant remover due to fast adsorption rate and high adsorption capacity for dye in water. More importantly, owing to high magnetic susceptibility, the Fe3O4@C-MoO2-Ni composites show excellent performance for recyclable use by magnetic separation. Thus, the Fe3O4@C-MoO2-Ni composites have great potential as an ideal catalyst and adsorbent due to facile and green synthesis method, good stability, excellent recyclability, nontoxic and low cost properties.