Solution-based synthesis of pyrite films with enhanced photocurrent generation

摘要

A direct and scalable approach for the synthesis of iron sulfide (FeS_2) films on flexible iron (Fe) foil in aqueous solution has been developed. Iron sulfide (FeS_2) with pyrite crystal structure has attracted considerable interest as an active next-generation photovoltaic material due to its suitable energy band gap, high absorption coefficient, natural abundance, and nontoxicity. The development of pyrite-based solar photovoltaics is inherently dependent on the low-cost and scalable fabrication of high-quality FeS_2 thin films. For the controlled growth of FeS_2 films on substrates, high-temperature approaches, including physical vapor deposition, chemical vapor deposition, spray pyrolysis, and thermal sulfurization, using iron or iron oxide have been widely employed.