Facile Synthesis of Fe₃O₄@Cu@Cu₂O Core–Shell Nanoparticles: A Preliminary Study on Magnetic and Structural Properties for Potential Catalytic Applications

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

Department of Chemistry, Payame Noor University, P.O. Box 19395-3697 Tehran, Iran

10.22091/jaem.2026.15295.1041

Abstract

This work describes a preliminary materials study on the synthesis of magnetic core-shellsynthesis of magnetic core-shell Fe₃O₄@Cu@Cu₂O nanoparticles through a facile two-step approach as a first step toward potential catalytic applications. The Fe₃O₄ core was initially prepared via co-precipitation method, followed by a solvothermal deposition of sequential Cu and Cu₂O layers using Glycerol as both solvent and reducing agent. The structural and morphological characteristics of the synthesized nanoparticles were comprehensively investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). XRD analysis confirmed the crystalline phases of Fe₃O₄, metallic Cu, and Cu₂O, demonstrating successful formation of the core-shell structure. SEM images reveal nearly spherical nanoparticles with uniform size distribution ranging between 55-88 nm. Vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM) measurements exhibited superparamagnetic behavior with saturation magnetization of 60 emu/g, sufficient for efficient magnetic separation using an external magnet while maintaining catalytic accessibility. The unique architecture of these nanoparticles, combining magnetic responsiveness with catalytic active sites, suggests their potential as candidates for magnetically recoverable catalysts, though catalytic performance evaluation is beyond the scope of this preliminary study. The unique architecture suggests potential for magnetically recoverable catalysts in various organic transformations, offering significant advantages in terms of reusability and sustainability in terms of reusability and sustainability. The synthesized Fe₃O₄@Cu@Cu₂O nanocomposites demonstrate material properties suitable for further investigation in green chemistry protocols where efficient catalyst recovery and recyclability are crucial requirements. This study is limited to materials characterization and does not include catalytic reaction data.

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Advances in Energy and Materials Research

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 25 April 2026

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