Phase control remains a pressing challenge in the colloidal synthesis of compound materials when nature gives the option of several structures of differing stoichiometries and polytypes. We systematically tested the role of reaction kinetics on the synthesis of iron sulfides using a series of substituted thioureas as sulfur reagents. All eight known geological iron sulfide phases were produced through the experiments and as a result, a “map” of phase progression was created. The experiments highlighted the importance of ccp or hcp anion stacking in the nucleated phase on the phase of the final product. Using this map as a guide, syntheses were rationally developed to target difficult to achieve phases such as smythite, marcasite and mackinawite.

Phase Control in the Synthesis of Iron Sulfides

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