Revealing the potential of functionalized FeS2 composites as efficient photocatalysts for improved removal of cationic and anionic dyes
This study investigates the enhancement of pyrite (FeS₂) through functionalization with silanol (SiO₂) and silanol-amino (SiO₂-NH₂) groups to optimize its adsorption and photocatalytic performance for removing cationic (methylene blue, MB) and anionic (methyl orange, MO) dyes. Functionalized core-sh...
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| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Results in Chemistry |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211715625002644 |
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| author | Vahid Mohammadbeigi Ebrahim Allahkarami Amirreza Azadmehr |
| author_facet | Vahid Mohammadbeigi Ebrahim Allahkarami Amirreza Azadmehr |
| author_sort | Vahid Mohammadbeigi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study investigates the enhancement of pyrite (FeS₂) through functionalization with silanol (SiO₂) and silanol-amino (SiO₂-NH₂) groups to optimize its adsorption and photocatalytic performance for removing cationic (methylene blue, MB) and anionic (methyl orange, MO) dyes. Functionalized core-shell composites, Pyrite@SiO₂ and Pyrite@SiO₂-NH₂, were synthesized via a sol-gel process using tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) and 3-aminopropyl triethoxysilane (APTS). Comprehensive characterization through XRF, XRD, FT-IR, TEM, UV–vis DRS, and BET analysis revealed spherical nanoparticles with smooth surfaces and uniform SiO₂/SiO₂-NH₂ coatings (200–300 nm thick). Functionalization significantly increased the specific surface area from 0.64 m2/g (raw pyrite) to 3.21 m2/g, enhancing pollutant interaction sites. Adsorption dominated over photocatalytic degradation under both UV and dark conditions, with maximum capacities of 36.5 mg/g (MO) and 34.0 mg/g (MB) at 298 K. Kinetic studies aligned with the pseudo-second-order model, while mass transfer analysis identified intraparticle diffusion as the primary mechanism. Although UV irradiation marginally improved dye removal, surface charge modification via SiO₂-NH₂ groups notably enhanced MO adsorption through electrostatic interactions. These findings underscore pyrite's potential as a cost-effective, efficient adsorbent for wastewater treatment, with surface functionalization offering a strategic avenue to tailor affinity for target pollutants, prioritizing adsorption over photocatalytic approaches. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-4301566af2ff49978d36faccdcbbb3a6 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2211-7156 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Results in Chemistry |
| spelling | doaj-art-4301566af2ff49978d36faccdcbbb3a62025-08-20T03:46:38ZengElsevierResults in Chemistry2211-71562025-05-011510228110.1016/j.rechem.2025.102281Revealing the potential of functionalized FeS2 composites as efficient photocatalysts for improved removal of cationic and anionic dyesVahid Mohammadbeigi0Ebrahim Allahkarami1Amirreza Azadmehr2Department of Mining Engineering, Amirkabir University of Technology, Tehran, IranDepartment of Mining Engineering, Amirkabir University of Technology, Tehran, IranCorresponding author.; Department of Mining Engineering, Amirkabir University of Technology, Tehran, IranThis study investigates the enhancement of pyrite (FeS₂) through functionalization with silanol (SiO₂) and silanol-amino (SiO₂-NH₂) groups to optimize its adsorption and photocatalytic performance for removing cationic (methylene blue, MB) and anionic (methyl orange, MO) dyes. Functionalized core-shell composites, Pyrite@SiO₂ and Pyrite@SiO₂-NH₂, were synthesized via a sol-gel process using tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) and 3-aminopropyl triethoxysilane (APTS). Comprehensive characterization through XRF, XRD, FT-IR, TEM, UV–vis DRS, and BET analysis revealed spherical nanoparticles with smooth surfaces and uniform SiO₂/SiO₂-NH₂ coatings (200–300 nm thick). Functionalization significantly increased the specific surface area from 0.64 m2/g (raw pyrite) to 3.21 m2/g, enhancing pollutant interaction sites. Adsorption dominated over photocatalytic degradation under both UV and dark conditions, with maximum capacities of 36.5 mg/g (MO) and 34.0 mg/g (MB) at 298 K. Kinetic studies aligned with the pseudo-second-order model, while mass transfer analysis identified intraparticle diffusion as the primary mechanism. Although UV irradiation marginally improved dye removal, surface charge modification via SiO₂-NH₂ groups notably enhanced MO adsorption through electrostatic interactions. These findings underscore pyrite's potential as a cost-effective, efficient adsorbent for wastewater treatment, with surface functionalization offering a strategic avenue to tailor affinity for target pollutants, prioritizing adsorption over photocatalytic approaches.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211715625002644Pyrite functionalizationCore-shell adsorbentsDye removal |
| spellingShingle | Vahid Mohammadbeigi Ebrahim Allahkarami Amirreza Azadmehr Revealing the potential of functionalized FeS2 composites as efficient photocatalysts for improved removal of cationic and anionic dyes Results in Chemistry Pyrite functionalization Core-shell adsorbents Dye removal |
| title | Revealing the potential of functionalized FeS2 composites as efficient photocatalysts for improved removal of cationic and anionic dyes |
| title_full | Revealing the potential of functionalized FeS2 composites as efficient photocatalysts for improved removal of cationic and anionic dyes |
| title_fullStr | Revealing the potential of functionalized FeS2 composites as efficient photocatalysts for improved removal of cationic and anionic dyes |
| title_full_unstemmed | Revealing the potential of functionalized FeS2 composites as efficient photocatalysts for improved removal of cationic and anionic dyes |
| title_short | Revealing the potential of functionalized FeS2 composites as efficient photocatalysts for improved removal of cationic and anionic dyes |
| title_sort | revealing the potential of functionalized fes2 composites as efficient photocatalysts for improved removal of cationic and anionic dyes |
| topic | Pyrite functionalization Core-shell adsorbents Dye removal |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211715625002644 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT vahidmohammadbeigi revealingthepotentialoffunctionalizedfes2compositesasefficientphotocatalystsforimprovedremovalofcationicandanionicdyes AT ebrahimallahkarami revealingthepotentialoffunctionalizedfes2compositesasefficientphotocatalystsforimprovedremovalofcationicandanionicdyes AT amirrezaazadmehr revealingthepotentialoffunctionalizedfes2compositesasefficientphotocatalystsforimprovedremovalofcationicandanionicdyes |