Thin pyrite (FeS2) films prepared by thermal-sulfurating iron films at various temperatures

The structure and morphology of polycrystalline FeS2 thin films prepared by sulfurating iron films sputtered on glass substrates are reported. The effect of sulfidation temperature on the formation of the FeS2 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 FeS2 between 400–600°C sulfidation. Moreover, the film of 400°C sulfidation has approximate FeS2 stoichiometrical composition and uniform microstructure. With tile increase in sulfidation temperature, the grain size and amount of FeS2 crystallises increase.