Synthesis of mackinawite by vacuum deposition method

Vacuum deposition method is applied for preparation of low temperature phases of iron-sulfides. Deposited films were examined by means of electron diffraction and identified to be mackinawite with small amounts of α-iron and greigite. The main reflection of mackinawite, 001, appeared as strong arcs by tilting the film because of the preferred orientation of (001) of mackinawite parallel to the substrate. Since mackinawite is synthesized anhydrously by this method, mackinawite is one of the phases belonging to the Fe–S system.