Production of highly pure iron disulfide nanoparticles using hydrothermal synthesis method

Abstract

Hydrothermal synthesis of nanopyrite was investigated in a stirred reactor. The product was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The result indicated that the synthesized powder was a mixture of pyrite and elemental sulfur. Purification of pyrite was studied via various methods including; solvent extraction, reaction with Na2SO3 and thermal treatment. Before and after purification the synthetic powder was characterized by XRD and scanning electron microscopy. Finally, it was concluded that thermal treatment at temperature 300 °C for 2.5 h was the most appropriate condition to purify pyrite.