Fe3O4@MoS2 Core–Shell Composites: Preparation, Characterization, and Catalytic Application

Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) has received tremendous attention due to the earth-abundant composition and high catalytic activity. However, the catalytic activity of MoS2 except electro- and photocatalytic has seldom been explored. Herein, Fe3O4@MoS2 core–shell composites were prepared for the first time by in situ growth of MoS2 nanosheets on the surfaces of Fe3O4 nanoparticles under different temperature, and the catalytic performance of the resulting composites was evaluated by using the catalytic reduction of 4-nitrophenol to 4-aminophenol. FE-SEM, TEM, XRD, and XPS analyses verified the core–shell structure with MoS2 nanosheets of defect-rich and oxygen incorporation on the surfaces of Fe3O4 nanoparticles. Fe3O4@MoS2 composites were found to exhibit a high catalytic activity for the reduction of 4-nitrophenol with the highest activity factor k = 3773 min–1 g–1. A plausible catalytic mechanism for the reduction of 4-nitrophenol was also proposed. This study presents an inexpensive, reusable, fast, and highly efficient catalyst for the reduction of 4-nitrophenol without noble metals.