Bimetallic nanostructures show exciting potential as materials for effective catalysis. Magnetically recoverable bimetallic nanoparticles are promising catalysts for chemical reactions. Here, Fe3O4@Pd and Fe3O4@Au–Pd hybrid nanoparticles were synthesized and used as catalysts. The morphology, composition, and structure of the Fe3O4@Pd and Fe3O4@Au–Pd hybrid nanoparticles were fully characterized by scanning and transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, high angle annular dark-field scanning TEM, X-ray powder diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, etc. The Fe3O4@Pd and Fe3O4@Au–Pd nanoparticles show excellent catalytic activity towards the reduction of nitrophenols and potassium hexacyanoferrate(III). In addition, the magnetic bimetallic heterogeneous nanoparticles can be easily recycled, showing good reusability; conversion higher than 99% was achieved after 6 cycles.
