Using the [Co(oct)2] as a New Precursor for Simple Synthesis of CoS2 Nanoparticles and Kinetics Studies on Photocatalytic Activities Under UV Irradiation

Abstract

Cobalt sulfide (CoS2) nanostructures were synthesized via a simple thermal decomposition method using [Co(oct)2] as a new precursor. Using the organometallic compound as precursor could synthesize materials in nano-scale because of having the massive structure that acted as capping agent. The products were characterized by various analyses such as X-ray diffraction pattern (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. Also, the optical properties of this product was investigated by photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL). However, band gap of CoS2 nanostructures was estimated about 2.2 eV in this work but CoS2 was considered as a metallic product in the former work. This difference may be related to quantum effects in nanomaterials. The photocatalytic activity of CoS2 nanoparticles was examined by decolorization of Erythrosine as an organic pollutant under UV irradiation and degradation percent of this dye was reported about 84 %. According to the kinetics studies, the photocatalytic reactions are following the Pseudo first-order model.