Synthesis and Physicochemical Properties of a Lanthanum-Containing Analog of the Mineral Berthierite FeSb2S4

Phase equilibria in the FeSb₂S₄–FeLa₂S₄ system were studied by physicochemical analysis methods (differential thermal, X-ray powder diffraction, and microstructural analyses and microhardness and density measurements), and the phase diagram of the system was constructed. The formation of quaternary sulfide FeLaSbS₄ melting congruently at 1230 K, an analog of the mineral berthierite FeSb₂S₄, was detected. The X-ray powder diffraction analysis showed that FeLaSbS₄ belongs to the berthierite structural type and crystallizes in the orthorhombic system with the unit cell parameters a = 11.424 Å, b = 14.160 Å, c = 3.782 Å, Z = 4, and space group Pbam.