Novel recyclable dual-heterostructured Fe3O4@CeO2/M (M = Pt, Pd and Pt–Pd) catalysts: synergetic and redox effects for superior catalytic performance

We report the creation of highly efficient, dual-heterostructured catalysts consisting of magnetic Fe3O4 cores and CeO2 shells coated with noble metal nanoparticles (NMNPs) (Pt, Pd and Pt–Pd nanoparticles). These intriguing dual-heterostructural features that favor reactant diffusion and exposure of active sites can enhance synergistic catalytic effects between the NMNPs and CeO2 nanoparticles. The synergistic catalytic effect and redox effect features between Fe3O4 and CeO2 are beneficial for superior catalytic and electrochemical performance. Impressively, the resultant Fe3O4@CeO2/Pd (3 wt%) and Fe3O4@CeO2/Pt (20 wt%) catalysts manifest superior catalytic efficiency and electrocatalytic reactivity toward the reduction of 4-nitrophenol and oxidation of methanol in alkaline solution, demonstrating the significance of the dual heterostructure of these recyclable catalysts. This synthetic strategy provides a new methodology for the fabrication of other high-performance and multifunctional catalysts, which would be very useful in various catalytic reactions.