Raman spectra and unit cell parameters of sphalerite solid solutions (FexZn1−xS)

Synthesized sphalerite solid solutions (Fe_xZn_1−xS) in the range 0 < x < 0.5 have been studied with the use of Raman spectroscopy. The main objective of these experiments was to learn how the iron content of sphalerite affects the Raman spectra. Raman intensities over the whole range of concentrations suggest a structure change in the rather narrow region of mole fractions of FeS between 0.15 and 0.25. Analysis of literature data as well as our own results on Raman scattering and X-ray powder diffraction suggests the observed phenomena might be due to a change in the percolation state of the crystal lattice. The ratio of intensities of some Raman lines can be, in principle, used for the compositional analysis of sphalerite.