Synthesis of Nanostructured Powders and Thin Films of Iron Sulfide from Molecular Precursors

Iron(III) xanthate single-source precursors [Fe(S2COR)3] (R= methyl, ethyl, isopropyl and 1-propyl) were used to deposit iron sulfide thin films and nanostructures by two simple, efficient and low-cost methods ( spin coating and solid state deposition). The single-crystal X-ray structures of the iron (III) n-propyl xanthate and iron (III) iso-propyl xanthate have been determined. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) studies of the complexes shows decomposition for all complexes to iron sulfide.pyrite and trolite The crystallinity of iron sulfide thin films and powder samples was studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD), and their morphologies were studied by scan electron microscopy (SEM).