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The structure and stability of Fe4+xS3 and its potential to form a Martian inner core

Author

Listed:
  • Lianjie Man

    (Universität Bayreuth)

  • Xiang Li

    (European Synchrotron Radiation Facility)

  • Tiziana Boffa Ballaran

    (Universität Bayreuth)

  • Wenju Zhou

    (University of Bayreuth)

  • Julien Chantel

    (UMR 8207—UMET—Unité Matériaux et Transformations)

  • Adrien Néri

    (Universität Bayreuth
    UMR 8207—UMET—Unité Matériaux et Transformations)

  • Ilya Kupenko

    (European Synchrotron Radiation Facility)

  • Georgios Aprilis

    (European Synchrotron Radiation Facility)

  • Alexander Kurnosov

    (Universität Bayreuth)

  • Olivier Namur

    (Earth and Environmental Sciences)

  • Michael Hanfland

    (European Synchrotron Radiation Facility)

  • Nicolas Guignot

    (L’Orme de Merisiers)

  • Laura Henry

    (L’Orme de Merisiers)

  • Leonid Dubrovinsky

    (Universität Bayreuth)

  • Daniel. J. Frost

    (Universität Bayreuth)

Abstract

Seismic, geodetic and cosmochemical evidence point to Mars having a sulfur-rich liquid core. Due to the similarity between estimates of the core’s sulfur content and the iron–iron sulfide eutectic composition at core conditions, it has been concluded that temperatures are too high for Mars to have an inner core. Recent low density estimates for the core, however, appear consistent with sulfur contents that are higher than the eutectic composition, leading to the possibility that an inner core could form from a high-pressure iron sulfide phase. Here we report the crystal structure of a phase with the formula Fe4+xS3, the iron content of which increases with temperature, approaching the stoichiometry Fe5S3 under Martian inner core conditions. We show that Fe4+xS3 has a higher density than the liquid Martian core and that a Fe4+xS3 inner core would crystalize if temperatures fall below 1960 (±105) K at the center of Mars.

Suggested Citation

  • Lianjie Man & Xiang Li & Tiziana Boffa Ballaran & Wenju Zhou & Julien Chantel & Adrien Néri & Ilya Kupenko & Georgios Aprilis & Alexander Kurnosov & Olivier Namur & Michael Hanfland & Nicolas Guignot , 2025. "The structure and stability of Fe4+xS3 and its potential to form a Martian inner core," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-9, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-56220-2
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-56220-2
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Henri Samuel & Mélanie Drilleau & Attilio Rivoldini & Zongbo Xu & Quancheng Huang & Raphaël F. Garcia & Vedran Lekić & Jessica C. E. Irving & James Badro & Philippe H. Lognonné & James A. D. Connolly , 2023. "Geophysical evidence for an enriched molten silicate layer above Mars’s core," Nature, Nature, vol. 622(7984), pages 712-717, October.
    2. Sébastien Le Maistre & Attilio Rivoldini & Alfonso Caldiero & Marie Yseboodt & Rose-Marie Baland & Mikael Beuthe & Tim Van Hoolst & Véronique Dehant & William M. Folkner & Dustin Buccino & Daniel Kaha, 2023. "Spin state and deep interior structure of Mars from InSight radio tracking," Nature, Nature, vol. 619(7971), pages 733-737, July.
    3. A. Khan & D. Huang & C. Durán & P. A. Sossi & D. Giardini & M. Murakami, 2023. "Evidence for a liquid silicate layer atop the Martian core," Nature, Nature, vol. 622(7984), pages 718-723, October.
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