Bifunctional composite prepared using layer-by-layer assembly of polyelectrolyte-gold nanoparticle films on Fe3O4-silica core-shell microspheres

Layer-by-layer assembly of polyelectrolyte-gold nanoparticles (NPs) multilayer films on Fe3O4-silica core-shell microspheres provides a convenient method to design a bifunctional hybrid composite combining the catalytic and magnetic performance together. The Au NPs are effectively immobilized in the polyelectrolyte layer without blocking the catalytic sites. The obtained hybrid magnetic microspheres exhibit high catalytic performance in both organic and inorganic reduction reactions. The use of magnetic support for the immobilization of Au NPs guarantees facile, clean, fast and efficient separation of the catalyst at the end of the reaction cycle.