Iron Disulfide (FeS ₂ ): A Promising Material for Removal of Industrial Pollutants

Abstract

Abstract For environmental concerns, there is need of cost effective method for the removal of toxic and carcinogenic dyes used in industries that pose a serious threat to humankind as well as marine life/ecosystems. FeS 2 is a promising semiconductor photocatalyst because of its high potential to degrade dyes as well as organic materials. In the present study, FeS 2 was successfully synthesized using low cost and more effective hydrothermal method. The different features of synthesized FeS 2 material was confirmed by X‐ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, UV‐visible spectrophotometry. Methyl orange dye and also a textile dye that contribute as a major organic pollutant was effectively degraded by photo catalytically active FeS 2 nanostructures. The maximum degradation efficiency (93.09%) was occurred in 120 minutes with 1 g/L FeS 2 catalyst dose. The dye removal efficiency for a textile dye Novacron yellow Huntsman (NYH) approximately 98.15 % was achieved with 1 g/L FeS 2 catalyst in just 80 min irradiation of visible light. This work further insights to develop FeS 2 nanostructures photocatalyst for the removal of toxic and hazardous water contaminants.