Abstract
In this paper a facile and efficient approach for fabrication of core-shell composite microspheres (Fe3O4@Au@mTiO(2)) has been reported. Magnetite nanoparticles (NPs) were first coated with Au NPs, and then titania shell was prepared on the outer surface of core through sol-gel technique. Titania shell was made mesoporous as well as crystalline via a single step of hydrothermal treatment of Fe3O4@Au@TiO2 composites. The prepared core-shell composites were fully characterized through analytical techniques such as transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-Ray powder diffraction (XRD), vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX), UV-visible spectroscopy, and N-2 adsorption-desorption analysis. The results indicate that the prepared composites have core-shell morphology, have magnetic property (29.7 emu g(-1)), and are mesoporous (with surface area of 52.2 m(2) g(-1)). The magnetic property of the composites is due to Fe3O4 magnetic core and can be separated easily by an external magnet. The Au NPs were sandwiched between Fe3O4 and anatase shell which can be seen clearly from TEM images and confirmed from XRD and EDX. The thicker shell of titania is believed to be helpful in preventing the Au NPs from leaching as compared to thinner shell.