Synthesization and characterization of FeS2 by mechanical alloying for Na/FeS2 cell

In this study, the FeS2 fine compound powders were synthesized by mechanical alloying (MA) for 15 hrs and stearic acid was added as PCA (Process Control Agent) to prevent the excessive cold welding and agglomeration. For the purpose of ulteriorly reducing the particle size to improve the contact areas between the active materials and conducting agents, the wet ball milling process was applied by employing normal hexane (C6H14) as the milling solvent. The mean particle size of FeS2 powders about 1.14 microm were obtained after 24 hrs wet ball milling. The powders were characterized by FE-SEM, XRD, TEM and EDS. To compare the influence of particle size on the properties of charge/discharge, the same electrolyte was employed for both tests by dissolving 1M NaCF3SO3 (sodium trifluoromethanesulfonate) in a liquid of TEGDME (tetraethylene glycol dimethylether). The first discharge capacity of Na/FeS2 cell made by dry ball milled powders was 440 mAh/g with a plateau potential at approximately 1.25 V versus Na/Na+ and 260 mAh/g at the 25th cycle at room temperature. Meanwhile, the initial discharge capacity of Na/FeS2 cell made by wet ball milled powders was 614 mAh/g with the same discharge plateau potential and retained 385 mAh/g at the 25th cycle. And the discharge capacity for wet milled system decreased continuously by repeated charge/discharge cycling in the first 20 cycles and has little change after 60 cycles, which means the good cycling properties, remaining half of its initial discharge capacity of 320 mAh/g even after 100 cycles.