Chain-like FeO@resorcinol-formaldehyde resins-Ag composite microstructures: facile construction and applications in antibacterial and catalytic fields

A facile two-step route is designed to synthesize chain-like Fe 3 O 4 @resorcinol-formaldehyde resins-Ag composite microstructures (denoted as Fe 3 O 4 @RF-Ag). Chain-like Fe 3 O 4 @RF microstructures are firstly obtained by the in situ polymerization of RF on Fe 3 O 4 microspheres under the assistance of an external magnetic field; and then, Ag nanoparticles are strewn on the surface of the RF via in situ reduction by hydrazine hydrate. The as-obtained chain-like Fe 3 O 4 @RF-Ag microstructures are characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), (high-resolution) transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM/TEM) and energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS). Experiments indicate that the as-prepared chain-like Fe 3 O 4 @RF-Ag microstructures can not only serve as outstanding antibacterial agents against bacteria including Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli , but also as highly efficient catalysts for the hydrogenation of various compounds, including 4-nitrophenol, methylene blue and Rhodamine B. Also, the as-prepared chain-like Fe 3 O 4 @RF-Ag microstructures can be conveniently regenerated under extra magnetic field due to the presence of Fe 3 O 4 and they show good cyclic stability, which is important for practical applications. Chain-like Fe 3 O 4 @RF-Ag microstructures with excellent antibacterial and catalytic activities were constructed by a simple two-step route.