Controlled formation of magnetic yolk-shell structures with enhanced catalytic activity for removal of acetaminophen in a heterogeneous fenton-like system

Encapsulating magnetic nanoparticles in a silica shell is a promising approach in many research fields. We recently demonstrated that the magnetic yolk-shell structure of Fe₃O₄@SiO₂, which consists of an inner magnetite core and outer silica shell separated by a hollow void space, and its modified counterparts can be used as an effective catalyst for removal of acetaminophen in a heterogeneous Fenton-like reaction. The present study develops this approach further in an effort to design an effective procedure for preparing an optimum yolk-shell structure capable of greater catalytic performance. We investigated the use of a controlled synthesis strategy to fabricate an Fe₃O₄@SiO₂ yolk-shell structure under varying conditions. Our focus was a single-step process that examines the effects of Stöber solution temperature, tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) and hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) concentrations, ethanol and water volume ratio, incubation time, and temperature on Fe₃O₄@SiO₂ textural morphologies. The catalytic performance of the prepared materials was evaluated through oxidative degradation of acetaminophen in a heterogeneous Fenton-like reaction. Field emission transmission electron microscopy observation showed that magnetic yolk-shell structures with appropriate diameter, shell thickness, and hollow void space could be generated through tight control of synthesis conditions. Particle size and hollow void space increased when TEOS concentration increased from 22.10 to 88.50 mM. Hollow void space also increased as incubation time increased from 24 h to 72 h or incubation temperature increased from 50 to 90 °C. However, a yolk-shell structure did not form at a TEOS concentration of 11.10 mM, an incubation time of 3 h, or with an inappropriate ratio of ethyl alcohol and deionized water. Catalytic activity for degradation of acetaminophen increased with increasing hollow void space and thinning silica shell. In addition, the selected appropriate materials exhibited effective catalytic performance over five cycles of regeneration. This study demonstrates the significance of controlling the formation of yolk-shell structures, which enabled us to produce Fe₃O₄@SiO₂ yolk-shell structures of desired and predictable size, hollow void space volume, and shell thickness for higher catalytic performance in degradation of pharmaceuticals in heterogeneous Fenton-like systems.