Reactivity of a FeS Surface under Room Temperature Exposure to Nitrogen and H₂S

The reactivity of an iron monosulfide surface exposed at room temperature to molecular nitrogen and hydrogen sulfide has been investigated using X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS) and thermal desorption spectroscopy (TDS). We have observed adsorption of nitrogen at room temperature that depends on the surface nanostructure and on the electronic state of nitrogen. The subsequent reaction of this adsorbed nitrogen with hydrogen sulfide results in depletion of the nitrogen surface content which can be interpreted in terms of ammonia formation. The XPS nitrogen N 1s core level line shape shows different components one of which seems to be the most reactive one in the ensuing H₂S reaction.