An easy and accurate analytical method for the determination of the iron wntent in homogeneous sphalerite samples has been described. First, the total iron content in the sample is analyzed by X-ray dispersive energy; then the iron present within the sphalerite lattice in the sample is determined by X-ray diffraction. It is possible to know the existence of other iron phases accompaining the sphalerite with this information. The main advantages of this analytical method can be summarized in the fact, that only one sample preparation is needed, and that the samples can be handled sequentially using a conventional X-ray powder diffraction equipment for the two analysis (X-ray dispersive energy, X-ray diffraction). The results obtained by this method are in good agreement with those yielded by other analytical techniques like X-ray fluorescente spectrometry and optical microscopy.

Peer reviewed