Facile synthesis of pyrite FeS on carbon spheres for high-efficiency Fenton-like reaction.

Designing iron-based catalysts for Fenton-like reactions with peroxymonosulfate (PMS) as oxidants have attracted growing attentions. Herein, pyrite FeS supported on carbon spheres (FeS@C) is synthesized by a facile low-temperature method. The FeS@C/PMS system can degrade carbamazepine (CBZ) effectively in a wide pH range. Sulfate radicals (SO), hydroxyl radicals (·OH), superoxide radical (O), and singlet oxygen (O) are the responsible reactive oxygen species (ROSs) for CBZ degradation. Moreover, in the simulated fixed-bed reactor, the FeS@C/PMS system can maintain a high CBZ removal ratio of >95% for than 8 h, exhibiting its excellent stability. The outstanding performance of FeS@C/PMS system is attributed to the presence of carbon spheres and lattice S, which together promote the Fe(III)/Fe(II) redox cycle. The FeS@C is a promising catalyst due to its facile synthesis, low cost, high efficiency, and excellent stability to activate PMS for organics degradation.