A versatile designed synthesis of magnetically separable nano-catalysts with well-defined core–shell nanostructures

Multifunctional microspheres with core–shell structures consisting of a core of nonporous carbon-protected magnetite particles, a transition layer of active Pd (or Pt) nanoparticles, and an outer shell of ordered mesoporous silica with perpendicularly aligned pore channels were synthesized based on colloid and interface chemistry. As a magnetically separable catalyst system, such microspheres hold a good potential in liquid phase catalysis.