Solid State Transition Metal Sulphides

Authors: H S Genin J A Ibers

Publish Date: 1998

Volume: , Issue: , Pages: 1-35

PDF Link

Abstract

From mineralogy and geology to theoretical chemistry and catalysis transition metal sulphides occupy important positions in many fields Pyrite a naturally occurring form of iron disulphide FeS2 known also as Fool’s Gold is one of the three largest commercial sources of elemental sulphur which in turn is vital to the world economy as a starting material for the single most important industrial chemical sulphuric acid 1 Sphalerite ZnS and cinnabar HgS common sulphide minerals are the largest sources of zinc and mercury respectively 1 Molybdenite MoS2 is the principal ore of molybdenum although most molybdenum is obtained as a byproduct in the production of copper via formation of MoS2 as an intermediate 1 Sulphide minerals are in fact the source of most of the world’s nonferrous metals 2 Geologically pyrite and other sulphide minerals serve as indicators of how and when rock formations were created troilite FeS is a rare mineral on earth but a common one on meteorites and lunar rocks this highlights the differences in their origins 2 3 Binary transition metal sulphides with their intriguing electrical and magnetic properties are being explored for device applications such as semiconductors and magnetic recording materials 2 Another fascinating phenomenon found in some binary sulphides including MoS2 is that of chargedensity waves which in the last twenty five years has been the subject of much theoretical study and has led to a better understanding of chemical bonding in general 4–7

Keywords: