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Scientific and Technological Assessment of Iron Pyrite for Use in Solar Devices

Journal Article · · Energy Technology
 [1];  [2];  [3];  [1]
  1. School of Materials Science and Engineering Nanyang Technological University (NTU) Singapore Nanyang Avenue 639798 Singapore, Singapore-Berkeley Research Initiative for Sustainable Energy (SinBeRISE) 1 Create Way Singapore 138602 Singapore
  2. Department of Materials Science and Engineering University of California Berkeley Berkeley CA 94720 USA
  3. School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences Nanyang Technological University, Singapore Singapore 637371 Singapore
Abstract

Iron pyrite (FeS 2 ) holds an enormous potential as a low cost and non‐toxic photoelectrochemical and energy‐harvesting material owing to its interesting optical, electronic, and chemical properties along with elemental abundance. In this Review, low cost and scalable processing techniques to synthesize phase‐pure pyrite thin films and nanocubes are described, and the application of this material in various energy‐harvesting devices such as dye‐sensitized solar cells, photodiodes, and heterojunction solar cells is discussed. A detailed analysis of the electron transport in single‐crystal iron pyrite is presented to shed light on its bulk‐ and surface‐conduction properties, which could be useful in designing better pyrite solar cells and could be exploited for novel device architectures. Finally, future prospects and directions are discussed.

Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
Grant/Contract Number:
AC02-05CH11231
OSTI ID:
1410372
Journal Information:
Energy Technology, Journal Name: Energy Technology Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 6; ISSN 2194-4288
Publisher:
Wiley Blackwell (John Wiley & Sons)Copyright Statement
Country of Publication:
Germany
Language:
English

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