The synthesis of FeCoS2 and an insight into its physicochemical performance

Abstract

In this work, FeCoS₂ was synthesised via a modulated hydrothermal method. With the hydrothermal temperature being increased, the microstructure of the as-obtained FeCoS₂ evolved from the initial ultrathin nanosheets to the final microspheres, which were also assembled from these nanosheets. Meanwhile, X-ray diffraction results illustrated that the degree of the [101] preferred orientation was gradually reduced with increasing hydrothermal temperature. When being evaluated as a photocatalyst toward the photodegradation of methylene blue, FeCoS₂ presented itself as a promising candidate for the photocatalytic degradation. When the as-obtained FeCoS₂ was tested as an anode material for Na-ion batteries, it could deliver a first discharge capacity of 806 mA h g⁻¹ at 50 mA g⁻¹. In addition, the magnetic properties of the temperature-dependent FeCoS₂ products were also investigated, demonstrating that FeCoS₂ nanosheets obtained at 170 °C exhibited the most evident ferromagnetic characteristics. The current research illustrates FeCoS₂'s potential for diverse applications in modern materials science and devices.