MoS2-Fe3C composite: a dual-functional material for methylene blue adsorption and photocatalysis in sustainable energy systems

Abstract The removal of industrial pollutants from water is a critical global challenge, necessitating the development of efficient materials for water treatment. In this study, a novel composite was synthesized, consisting of molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) prepared via hydrothermal synthesis and iron...

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Main Authors: Amal T. Mogharbel, Amnah S. Al Zbedy, Mona H. Alhalafi, Ahmed H. Jawhari, Zehbah A. Al-Ahmed, Omaymah Alaysuy, Sahar Sallam, Nashwa M. El-Metwaly
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Springer 2025-08-01
Series:Journal of Saudi Chemical Society
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1007/s44442-025-00015-z
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author Amal T. Mogharbel
Amnah S. Al Zbedy
Mona H. Alhalafi
Ahmed H. Jawhari
Zehbah A. Al-Ahmed
Omaymah Alaysuy
Sahar Sallam
Nashwa M. El-Metwaly
author_facet Amal T. Mogharbel
Amnah S. Al Zbedy
Mona H. Alhalafi
Ahmed H. Jawhari
Zehbah A. Al-Ahmed
Omaymah Alaysuy
Sahar Sallam
Nashwa M. El-Metwaly
author_sort Amal T. Mogharbel
collection DOAJ
description Abstract The removal of industrial pollutants from water is a critical global challenge, necessitating the development of efficient materials for water treatment. In this study, a novel composite was synthesized, consisting of molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) prepared via hydrothermal synthesis and iron carbide (Fe₃C) obtained by carburizing iron oxalate at 500 °C. The individual materials and the composite were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and BET surface area analysis, confirming the successful formation of the composite with the desired structure. The adsorption and photocatalytic performance of the synthesized materials were evaluated for methylene blue (MB) removal from water. The results demonstrated a significant improvement in removal efficiency when using the composite compared with pure MoS2. The removal efficiency increased from 38.9 and 64.7% for MoS₂ to 44.5% and 98.3% for the composite in dark and illuminated conditions, respectively. This enhancement is attributed to the synergistic interaction between adsorption and photocatalytic degradation, leading to higher adsorption capacity from 11.71 mg.g−1 to 42.95 mg.g −1 and self-regeneration of active sites. These findings highlight the composite as a promising candidate for industrial dye removal and efficient water purification in the presence of sustainable light energy.
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publishDate 2025-08-01
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spelling doaj-art-b77a1169d1154db2905bfe69ee5d2cd62025-08-20T03:44:04ZengSpringerJournal of Saudi Chemical Society1319-61032212-46402025-08-0129411510.1007/s44442-025-00015-zMoS2-Fe3C composite: a dual-functional material for methylene blue adsorption and photocatalysis in sustainable energy systemsAmal T. Mogharbel0Amnah S. Al Zbedy1Mona H. Alhalafi2Ahmed H. Jawhari3Zehbah A. Al-Ahmed4Omaymah Alaysuy5Sahar Sallam6Nashwa M. El-Metwaly7Department of Chemistry, College of Science, University of TabukDepartment of Chemistry, Al-Qunfudah University College, Umm Al-Qura UniversityDepartment of Chemistry, College of Sciences, Majmaah UniversityDepartment of Physical Sciences, Chemistry Division, College of Science, Jazan UniversityApplied College Dhahran Aljanoub, King Khalid UniversityDepartment of Chemistry, College of Science, University of TabukDepartment of Physical Sciences, Chemistry Division, College of Science, Jazan UniversityDepartment of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Umm Al Qura UniversityAbstract The removal of industrial pollutants from water is a critical global challenge, necessitating the development of efficient materials for water treatment. In this study, a novel composite was synthesized, consisting of molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) prepared via hydrothermal synthesis and iron carbide (Fe₃C) obtained by carburizing iron oxalate at 500 °C. The individual materials and the composite were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and BET surface area analysis, confirming the successful formation of the composite with the desired structure. The adsorption and photocatalytic performance of the synthesized materials were evaluated for methylene blue (MB) removal from water. The results demonstrated a significant improvement in removal efficiency when using the composite compared with pure MoS2. The removal efficiency increased from 38.9 and 64.7% for MoS₂ to 44.5% and 98.3% for the composite in dark and illuminated conditions, respectively. This enhancement is attributed to the synergistic interaction between adsorption and photocatalytic degradation, leading to higher adsorption capacity from 11.71 mg.g−1 to 42.95 mg.g −1 and self-regeneration of active sites. These findings highlight the composite as a promising candidate for industrial dye removal and efficient water purification in the presence of sustainable light energy.https://doi.org/10.1007/s44442-025-00015-zMoS2HydrothermalFe3CCarburizationAdsorptionPhotocatalysis
spellingShingle Amal T. Mogharbel
Amnah S. Al Zbedy
Mona H. Alhalafi
Ahmed H. Jawhari
Zehbah A. Al-Ahmed
Omaymah Alaysuy
Sahar Sallam
Nashwa M. El-Metwaly
MoS2-Fe3C composite: a dual-functional material for methylene blue adsorption and photocatalysis in sustainable energy systems
Journal of Saudi Chemical Society
MoS2
Hydrothermal
Fe3C
Carburization
Adsorption
Photocatalysis
title MoS2-Fe3C composite: a dual-functional material for methylene blue adsorption and photocatalysis in sustainable energy systems
title_full MoS2-Fe3C composite: a dual-functional material for methylene blue adsorption and photocatalysis in sustainable energy systems
title_fullStr MoS2-Fe3C composite: a dual-functional material for methylene blue adsorption and photocatalysis in sustainable energy systems
title_full_unstemmed MoS2-Fe3C composite: a dual-functional material for methylene blue adsorption and photocatalysis in sustainable energy systems
title_short MoS2-Fe3C composite: a dual-functional material for methylene blue adsorption and photocatalysis in sustainable energy systems
title_sort mos2 fe3c composite a dual functional material for methylene blue adsorption and photocatalysis in sustainable energy systems
topic MoS2
Hydrothermal
Fe3C
Carburization
Adsorption
Photocatalysis
url https://doi.org/10.1007/s44442-025-00015-z
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