Enhanced catalytic performance of CuFeS2 chalcogenides for activation of persulfate towards decolorization and disinfection of pollutant in water

Abstract

This study focuses on the synthesis and properties of CuFeS2 chalcogenides, which were prepared using a heat precipitation method. The effect of synthetic temperature on the catalytic activity of CuFeS2 was also investigated. The study found that CuFeS2 prepared at 250 °C (CuFeS2–250) had higher crystallinity, a higher concentration of Fe2+ on its surface, and a higher catalytic activity in the decolorization of rhodamine B (RhB) using a Fenton-like oxidation process with Na2S2O8 (99.0% RhB decolorization efficiency within 7 min). The iron sites of CuFeS2 were found to be the catalytic active sites through density-functional theory calculations. The study also determined that •SO4− and •OH radicals were the reactive species responsible for the decolorization of RhB. In addition, the study demonstrated that CuFeS2–250 had the ability to decolorize different dyestuffs (methylene blue, methyl orange, and acridine orange) in environmental water samples (river and seawater). Furthermore, CuFeS2–250/Na2S2O8 possessed excellent antibacterial activity (>90.4% eradication rate within 120 min) against pathogen (Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and methicillin-susceptible S. aureus). In conclusion, this study highlights the enhanced catalytic activity of CuFeS2–250 and its potential for industrial applications related to the decomposition of organics from wastewater.