Synthesis of pyrite FeS2 nanorods by simple hydrothermal method and its photocatalytic activity

In this work, FeS2 nanorods were synthetized by hydrothermal method. The advantages of our process were the high yield, simplicity and reproducibility. The material was studied in detail using different experimental tools such as XRD, SEM, HRTEM, EDXS, XPS, Raman, and UV-vis reflectance. XRD pattern and Raman data revealed good crystalline quality for the as synthesized pyrite FeS2. SEM analysis displayed the rod-like morphologies of FeS2 which seemed to grow radially from a center giving a flower-like appearance. From TEM images the approximate length and diameter of nano-rods were determined as 275 and 15 nm respectively. The material showed excellent photocatalytic activity which was assessed from the degradation of the methlyene blue. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.