Tris(N-methylferrocenyl-N-(2-phenylethyl)dithiocarbamato-S,S′)cobalt(III) for anion sensing and preparation of cobalt-iron sulfide nanoparticles: A new photocatalyst for the degradation of dyes

Tris(N-(pyrrol-2-ylmethyl)-N-butyldithiocarbamato-S,S′)cobalt(III) (1) and tris(N-methylferrocenyl-N-(2-phenylethyl)dithiocarbamato-S,S′)cobalt(III) (2) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis and spectroscopy (IR, UV-vis and NMR). The elemental analysis and IR, 1H and 13C NMR spectra are consistent with the formation of the cobalt(III) complexes with dithiocarbamate ligands. The anion binding properties of 1 and 2 based on host-guest interaction have been examined with the use of cyclic voltammetry.This study showed that both complexes preferred to bind with I-compared to other halides. 2 has been used as precursors for the preparation of cobalt-iron sulfide nanoparticles. TEM image of cobalt-iron sulfide nanoparticles showed that the particles are spherical. The elemental compositions of the nanoparticles were confirmed by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. IR spectral studies on nanoparticles confirm the presence of capping agent (triethylenetetramine). The nanoparticles were explored as photocatalysts to study the degradation of dyes using methylene blue and rhodamine-B in aqueous solution under UV irradiation. The cobalt-iron sulfide works as an efficient photocatalyst for degradation of rhodamine-B.