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Pyrite and Marcasite Surface Area as Influenced by Morphology and Particle Diameter
Author(s) -
Pugh C. E.,
Hossner L. R.,
Dixon J. B.
Publication year - 1981
Publication title -
soil science society of america journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.836
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1435-0661
pISSN - 0361-5995
DOI - 10.2136/sssaj1981.03615995004500050033x
Subject(s) - marcasite , pyrite , mineralogy , particle size , specific surface area , particle (ecology) , scanning electron microscope , chemistry , iron sulfide , morphology (biology) , materials science , geology , sulfur , composite material , organic chemistry , paleontology , oceanography , sphalerite , catalysis
The morphology of massive and framboidal pyrites and marcasite extracted from lignitic cores was examined with light and scanning electron microscopes. The primary objective was to determine the surface area for these sulfide minerals. Framboidal pyrite spheres consisted of micron‐sized crystals and suggested a high surface area compared to other iron (Fe) sulfides. Specific surface space was determined using the linear form of the B.E.T. equation and N 2 gas as the adsorbate. Framboidal pyrite was composed of individual microcrystals that ranged from 1 to 5 µm in diameter. Surface area of framboidal pyrite remained near 2.0 m 2 /g for mean diameters ranging from 150 to 60 µm but increased to as high as 4.0 m 2 /g for diameters between 5 and 2 µm. Marcasite spheres were 4 to 5 times larger in diameter than single framboids. Surface area of all fractions of marcasite and massive pyrite ranged from 0.2 to 0.5 m 2 /g. Specific surface decreased as particle size increased.