Mechanochemically synthesized pyrite and its electrochemical behavior as cathode for lithium batteries

PRIMO, EMILIANO N.; BRACAMONTE, MARÍA V.; LUQUE, GUILLERMINA L.; BERCOFF, PAULA G.; LEIVA, EZEQUIEL P. M.; BARRACO, DANIEL E.

JOURNAL OF SOLID STATE ELECTROCHEMISTRY (PRINT)

SPRINGER

Año: 2019 vol. 23 p. 1929 - 1938

1432-8488

This studypresents a simple and scalable synthesis of pyrite (FeS2)startingfrom S and Fe powders, which involves high energy ball milling of precursorpowders followed by a thermal treatment. The formation of the desired productwasconfirmed by X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysisand X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. After the synthesis, spherical FeS2nanoparticles of ~85 nm in size were obtained, with a highly crystallinefacecentred cubic structure and no secondary phases. The synthesized material wastested as cathode material for lithium batteries. The cathodes delivered good electrochemicallithium storage properties, such as a reversible capacity as high as 470 mAh g-1even after 120 cycles, and a good rate capability.Furthermore,aspects regarding the reaction mechanism and common electrochemical features ofLi/FeS2 batteries are discussed.