Synthesis of novel heterostructured FeS2/Ag2MoO4 nanocomposite: Characterization, efficient antibacterial and enhanced visible light driven photocatalytic activity

The novel, highly efficient and reusable photocatalyst was prepared successfully by chemical co-precipitation method. FeS2/Ag2MoO4 was characterized to investigate the structural and morphological characteristics, crystalline nature, optical performance, and distributions of the ingredients by using TEM, BET analyzer, FT-IR, UV-vis DRS, EDAX, PL, XPS and X-ray diffraction. Diffraction peaks related to both FeS2 and Ag2MoO4 were observed in the XRD pattern of nanocomposite (NCs). The optical study proves the improvement in visible light harvesting of the photocatalysts and the band gap of FeS2 changed from 0.95 eV to 2.20 eV in the nanocomposite, signifying the good mobility of charge carriers. The k value (degradation constant) for the MB photocatalysis was 0.0043 min(-1) by FeS2/Ag2MoO4 which was 1.3 times higher than Ag2MoO4 (0.0031 min(-1)) and FeS2 (0.0031 min(-1)). The photodegradation mechanism was elucidated with the help of a series of radical scavengers and the active species found predominantly was hydroxyl radicals. Moreover, the NCs exhibited similar photocatalytic effect and the particle did not show any kind of photo-corrosion even after 6th cycle. The NCs exhibits good antimicrobial property against gram -ye bacteria (E. coli) and gram +ve bacteria (B. subtilis). Therefore, FeS2/ Ag2MoO4 would be an economical, efficient and greener environment-friendly photocatalyst and antimicrobial agent.

Automated summary

A novel, efficient and reusable photocatalyst FeS2/Ag2MoO4 was successfully prepared by chemical co-precipitation method. The optical performance and photodegradation mechanism of the photocatalyst have been proven to be excellent.