Preparation of Metal‐Containing Zwitterionic Fe₃O₄@SiO₂−βPDMA Composite Systems and Catalytic Activity Studies

Abstract

In response to the current challenges in the field, this study will contribute to the development of a highly versatile magnetic core/shell nanocomposite by addressing issues in the synthesis and functionalization of Fe3O4 nanoparticles through the presentation of innovative solutions. Firstly, Fe3O4 nanoparticles were synthesized. Tetraethyl orthosilicate was used as a silicon source and Fe3O4@SiO2 magnetic nanoparticles were synthesized. The outer surface of Fe3O4@SiO2 nanoparticles were modified and converted into Fe3O4@SiO2−NH2 structure. These modified particles were then functionalized with alkyl bromide to be used as an ATRP initiator and Fe3O4@SiO2−Br structure was obtained. The polymerization of 2‐(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate (DMA) monomer on the particle surface was achieved by the SI‐ATRP method. In the last step, betainization of Fe3O4@SiO2−PDMA composite was worked, and the salts of gold and silver were added to composite systems. The dispersions of the metal loaded Fe3O4@SiO2−βPDMA composite was obtained and used as catalysts in the reduction reaction of p‐nitrophenol to p‐aminophenol. Consequently, Fe3O4@SiO2−βPDMA composite system with magnetic properties in the range of 145–160 nm was prepared. The structure of synthesized magnetic nanoparticle was characterized by PXRD, TEM, TG‐DTA and the catalyst activity in the reduction reaction of p‐nitrophenol to p‐aminophenol was examined by UV‐vis spectrophotometer.