Pyrite thin films prepared for thermal batteries via sulfuring electrodeposited iron sulfide films: Structure and physical properties

Abstract In recent years, pyrite thin film has received considerable attentions in energy storage. But rare attentions have been dedicated to its possible application in thermal batteries. In this study, we synthesized pyrite films by sulfuring electrodeposited iron sulfide films at 773 K under dynamic sulfur atmosphere, and analyzed their physical properties for thermal battery use. To determine the sulfuring parameters, we fabricated for the first time a theoretical relationship of sulfur partial pressure, molar weight of sulfur, carrier gas flux and heating rate in dynamic system. The effect of annealing time on topography of films and grain distributions were investigated by atomic force microscopy (AFM). The purity and thermal stability were evaluated by thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). Several superior physical properties make pyrite thin film an attractive cathode material for thermal batteries.