Degradation of Nitrobenzene by Mackinawite through a Sequential Two-Step Reduction and Oxidation Process

Mackinawite (FeS) has gained increasing interest due to its potential application in contaminant removal by either reduction or oxidation processes. This study further demonstrated the efficiency of FeS in degrading nitrobenzene (ArNO 2 ) via a sequential two-step reduction and oxidation process under neutral conditions. In the reduction stage, FeS rapidly reduced ArNO 2 to aniline (ArNH 2 ), with nitrosobenzene (ArNO) and phenylhydroxylamine (ArNHOH) serving as the intermediates. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis indicated that both Fe(II) and S(II) in FeS contributed electrons to the reduction of ArNO 2 . In the subsequent oxidation stage with oxygen, by addition of 0.5 mM tripolyphosphate (TPP), ArNH 2 generated in the reduction process could be effectively oxidized to aminophenols by hydroxyl radicals ( • OH), which would undergo eventual mineralization via ring-cleavage reactions. TPP exerted a favorable role in enhancing • OH production for ArNH 2 degradation by promoting the formation of the dissolved Fe(II)-TPP complex, thus enhancing the homogeneous Fenton reaction. Additionally, TPP adsorption inhibited the surface oxidation reactivity of FeS due to the change of Fe(II) coordination. Finally, the effective degradation of ArNO 2 by FeS in actual groundwater was demonstrated by using this sequential reduction and oxidation approach. These research findings provide a theoretical basis for a new FeS-based remediation approach, offering an alternative way for comprehensive removal of ArNO 2 .