Green and facile synthesis of Fe3O4-PbS magnetic nanocomposites applicable for the degradation of toxic organic dyes

Magnetite (Fe3O4) and lead sulfide (PbS) nano-structures were synthesized via a simple precipitation method in water by using green capping agents. Then, Fe3O4-PbS nanocomposites were prepared by facile chemical procedure. The effects of concentration, temperature as well as precipitating and capping agents on the morphology and particle size of the magnetic products were investigated. Sugars and carbohydrates were used as green, cost-effective, and safe bio-compatible capping agents. The prepared magnetic products were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Alternating gradient force magnetometer was used to identify the super-paramagnetic property of the samples. The photocatalytic behaviour of nanocomposites was evaluated using the degradation of azo dyes under ultraviolet light irradiation.