Synthesis of FeS₂ Nano Crystals for Ink-Based Solar Cells

Abstract

Although pyrite (FeS2) is abundant, getting a single-phase pyrite thin film is difficult due to the coexistence of various phases of iron and sulfur in nature. We propose an ink-based process for attaining the pyrite phase of iron sulfide. This work involves degassing Iron (II) chloride in an octadecylamine solution and later reflux with addition of sulfur in diphenyl ether at 200°C. The process yielded phase-pure single crystalline pyrite nanocrystals which were later cleaned and dispersed in chloroform for uniform suspension. Thus obtained nanocrystals were deposited as thin films using drop casting and spin coating. Solar cells were fabricated using CdS as an n-type window layer in a superstrate configuration. When tested, the superstrate type FeS2 nanoparticle cell showed 0.03% with high Voc of 565 mV.

Morphology controllable syntheses of micro- and nano-iron pyrite mono- and poly-crystals: a review

“…2,5 The whole process mainly includes four steps. [67][68][69] First, the sulphur and iron precursor solution is prepared in separate vessel, at certain temperature. Second, one of the prepared solutions of the precursor are rapidly injected into the other at the designated temperature (always higher than 100 C).…”

Thin Film Solar Cells Using Earth-Abundant Materials

“…Wadia and his group show single phase growth of FeS 2 nanoparticles. On the other hand, colloidal FeS 2 nano-crystal ink by using a hot-injection method has been synthesized by many groups [112][113][114][115][116]. These processes are encouraging in that these are low temperature processes and variation in particle sizes allows the manipulation of band gap, which will help to absorb a broader spectrum of sunlight.…”

“…These processes are encouraging in that these are low temperature processes and variation in particle sizes allows the manipulation of band gap, which will help to absorb a broader spectrum of sunlight. To translate these nanocrystals into a form of a compact thin film layer is a challenge [113,116,117]. using gaseous sulphur at 350°C.…”

“…al fabricated solid state based FeS 2 thin film solar cell using CdS as an ntype layer [116]. The super-strate type cell structure was glass/FTO/CdS/FeS 2 /Ag/Cr.…”