Unraveling the Crystal Structures and Electronic Properties of Novel Iron Sulfide Phases Under Martian Core Conditions

Iron sulphides are speculated to play a crucial role in understanding the internal structure and dynamics of Martian interiors as they are expected to crystallize and persist within the Martian core as it undergoes cooling. These compounds exhibit complex crystal chemical behaviours under high pressures, with recent studies and our preliminary findings uncovering several unexpected new phases. Building on our initial experiments, we propose to investigate the crystal structures and electronic properties of novel iron sulphide phases that are stable under conditions akin to those within the Martian core. These iron sulphide phases will be synthesized in laser-heated diamond anvil cells utilizing high pressures and temperatures up to 40 GPa and 2000 K. Characterization of the samples will be conducted using single crystal X-ray diffraction and synchrotron Mössbauer spectroscopy. The outcomes of this study will enhance our knowledge regarding the state and evolution of the Martian core.