The preparation and phase transition of nanocrystalline iron sulfides via toluene-thermal process

A series of nanocrystalline iron sulfides have been successfully prepared via the reaction of FeSO4.7H2O and Na2S3 using the toluene-thermal method in the temperature range of 80–170°C. Two single phases of Fe3S4 and FeS2 were obtained. Transmission electron microscopy analyses indicate that Fe3S4 crystallite is about 25 nm and FeS2 is about 50 nm. The iron and sulfur contents are determined by spectrophotometric analysis. The ratios of Fe to S are Fe2.994S4 and Fe0.996S2, respectively. With the change of the reaction condition, the phase transition among iron sulfur was studied.