Hierarchical AuNPs-loaded Fe3O4/Polymers nanocomposites constructed by electrospinning with enhanced and magnetically recyclable catalytic capacities

Abstract

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have attracted widespread attention for their excellent catalytic activity, as well as their unusual physical and chemical properties. The main challenges come from the agglomeration and time-consuming separation of gold nanoparticles, which have greatly baffled the development and application in liquid phase selective reduction. To solve these problems, we propose the preparation of polyvinyl alcohol(PVA)/poly(acrylic acid)(PAA)/Fe3O4 nanocomposites with loaded AuNPs. The obtained PVA/PAA/Fe3O4 composite membrane by electrospinning demonstrated high structural stability, a large specific surface area, and more active sites, which is conducive to promoting good dispersion of AuNPs on membrane surfaces. The subsequently prepared PVA/PAA/Fe3O4@AuNPs nanocomposites exhibited satisfactory nanostructures, robust thermal stability, and a favorable magnetic response for recycling. In addition, the PVA/PAA/Fe3O4@AuNPs nanocomposites showed a remarkable catalytic capacity in the catalytic reduction of p-nitrophenol and 2-nitroaniline solutions. In addition, the regeneration studies toward p-nitrophenol for different consecutive cycles demonstrate that the as-prepared PVA/PAA/Fe3O4@AuNPs nanocomposites have outstanding stability and recycling in catalytic reduction.