Core-shell nanoparticles by silica coating of metal oxides in a dual-stage hydrothermal flow reactor.

γ-Fe2O3@SiO2, TiO2@SiO2, and α-Fe2O3@SiO2 core-shell nanoparticles were synthesized by a surfactant-free hydrothermal method in a continuous flow dual-stage reactor. Uniform silica shells of 2 nm thickness were obtained when grown on γ-Fe2O3 and TiO2 nanoparticles while thicker and more irregular shells were deposited on α-Fe2O3 due to low pH.