Fe7S8 nanorods and nanosheets

Fe7S8 nanorods and nanosheets were synthesized in large scale by a novel flux method. The starting materials are Fe, S powder and KI flux. XRD patterns demonstrated the as-prepared products were Fe7S8. The morphology could be controlled by the synthetic temperature easily. Nanorods and nanosheets were synthesized at 750 and 850 °C, respectively. The thickness of synthesized nanosheets was smaller than 100 nm. The nanorod diameter was about 200 nm, its length was about 2 μm, and the growth direction of nanorod was [0 1 2]. The growth mechanism for Fe7S8 nanorods and nanosheets are discussed in detail.