Thin pyrite (FeS 2) films prepared by thermal-sulfurating iron films at various temperatures

Abstract

The structure and morphology of polycrystalline FeS 2 thin films prepared by sulfurating iron films sputtered on glass substrates are reported. The effect of sulfidation temperature on the formation of the FeS 2 thin films has been investigated under 80 kPa sulfur pressure and 20 h annealing time. There is a nearly complete transformation from iron into polycrystalline FeS 2 between 400–600°C sulfidation. Moreover, the film of 400°C sulfidation has approximate FeS 2 stoichiometrical composition and uniform microstructure. With tile increase in sulfidation temperature, the grain size and amount of FeS 2 crystallises increase.