Controllable Preparation and Catalytic Performance of Magnetic Fe3O4@CeO2-Polysulfone Nanocomposites with Core–Shell Structure

In this research a brand-new magnetic CeO2 nanocomposite with core–shell structure was controllably synthesized. Specifically, Fe3O4 was used as the magnetic core to separate active components; polysulfone (PSF) was used as a binder to protect the Fe3O4 from leaching, thus enhancing the stability of the whole catalyst. The hydrothermal method was applied to coat Fe3O4 nanocores with CeO2, and the PSF layer was added by mixing two emulsion systems. The optimum nanocomposite contains approximately 66 wt % Fe3O4, 23 wt % CeO2, and 11 wt % PSF with a mean diameter of 350 nm. The degradation experiments showed that 90% AO7 was removed in 3 h and that the catalyst could be separated easily by an external magnetic field. Notably, little CeO2 loss and iron leaching was achieved in six cyclic degradation loops, indicating excellent catalytic stability. The synthetic strategy provides a new methodology for the preparation of stable catalysts.