Probing reactivity sites on pyrite-oxidative interactions with 4-chlorophenol

Abstract We have examined the oxidative interactions of 4-chrlorophenol (hereafter 4-CP) with pyrite using Diffused Reflectance Fourier Transform Infra Red (DR-FTIR) spectroscopy. In order to enhance the 4-CP adsorption on pyrite, all experiments were conducted in gas phase under ambient atmospheric conditions. When traces of water are present, the pyrite oxidation has occurred both at Fe(II) and S 2 sites forming FeOOH and S 2 O 3 2− as intermediates. The 4-CP was chemisorbed onto newly developed FeOOH sites on pyrite with the concomitant release of H 2 O. Presence of FeOOH sites favored the H 2 O 2 and OH radical production. The IR bands observed at 1170, 1203 and 1145 cm −1 evidenced for the presence of HSO 4 − and FeSO 4 0 species in the vicinity.