Iron monosulfide (FeS) oxidation by dissolved oxygen: characteristics of the product layer

Abstract

Abstract Samples of FeS were oxidized by oxygen‐bearing acidic solutions at 25 °C and different initial pH values (2.75 ≤ pH ≤ 3.45). The reacted FeS samples were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), nitrogen adsorption/desorption isotherms measurements, and FT‐Raman spectroscopy. A sulfur rich phase (layer) is inferred to be form on reacting FeS surface based on sequential extraction with acidic chromium(II) chloride solutions. The sulfur‐rich layer (SRL) formed on oxidized FeS samples is traversed by various mesopores with average pore size < 450Å. It is reasonable to assume that the mesopores facilitate the migration of iron and sulfur from FeS structure into solution across SRL. The FT‐Raman spectra of oxidized FeS samples show an intense peak at 162 cm −1 , which can be attributed to SRL developed on FeS surface. A model for SRL development on FeS during its oxidation by dissolved oxygen has been proposed from the present results and previous studies. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.