Synthesis of Nanostructures of Iron Binary/Ternary Phased Sulfide/Selenide by Hot Injection Method and Case Study for The Removal of Carcinogenic Dye Red S3B Via Photocatalysis

Abstract

Iron based nanoplates of iron sulfide (FeS2), iron selenide (FeSe2) and iron sulfo selenide (FeSxSe1−x) have been synthesised in one pot by using Fe(III) or Fe(II) chloride as iron source and sulfur or selenium powder as S and Se source in oleylamine. These synthesised nanoplates were characterized by x-rays diffraction (XRD), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), High resolution transmission electron microscopy and energy dispersion x-rays (EDX) spectroscopy. These materials were also investigated for their performance as photocatalysts for the degradation of a carcinogenic industrial dye RS3B under solar light. The comparison of crystallinity, dimensions, yields and electronic properties of these synthesised nanoplates with respect to the use of Fe (II) or Fe (III) as iron source and also the synthesis carried out at 30 minutes and one hour show that Fe (II) is better source for iron and the synthesis carried out at 30 minutes give much better quality materials that those synthesized for one hour. This observation was true for all three materials (FeS2, FeSe2 and FeSSe).