Abstract: This study proposes a microwave-assisted preparation method for magnetic composite photocatalytic materials and its application in undergraduate comprehensive chemistry experiments. Using nano-Fe₃O₄ as the magnetic core, the material was coated with amorphous TiO₂ via sol-gel method, then treated in an ammonia-ethanol system containing Ag⁺ under microwave-assisted hydrothermal conditions at 180 °C for 15 minutes. This process simultaneously achieved the phase transformation of TiO₂ from amorphous to anatase and the in-situ loading of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). The proposed method not only significantly reduces reaction time and energy consumption while improving operational safety, but also effectively enhances students' practical skills in material synthesis, characterization, and performance testing. Through a multi-variable inquiry-based teaching design, the experiment further cultivates students’ innovative thinking and research competencies.

Key words: Microwave-assisted synthesis, Fe₃O₄@TiO₂@Ag, Photocatalytic degradation, Magnetic separation