Iron pyrite FeS2 are abundant and nontoxic materials in nature. Recently, we have attracted attention for developing low-cost fabrications of catalytic electrode and photovoltaic devices using solution processes. The size of pyrite FeS2 NCs were around 15 with well-controlled. In the photovoltaic applications, we have demonstrated a polymer solar cell based on poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT)/FeS2NCs hybrid and a heterojunction photodiode consisting of a device structure of ITO/ZnO/FeS2NC/MoO3/Au. The both devices exhibited an excellent photoresponse with a spectral response from visible to NIR wavelengths. Besides, we also demonstrated other promising photovoltaic applications using FeS2NCs pyrite ink to fabricate a cost-effective counter electrode (CE) in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). FeS2 NC has exhibited excellent electrochemical catalytic activity and remarkable stability in replacing expensive Pt catalysts as a low-cost CE material in DSSCs. Devices using FeS2 NC-based CE show promising power conversion efficiencies comparable to those using the Pt CE. Overall results indicate that earth-abundant FeS2 NC is an interesting candidate of light absorbent and catalysts, which can substantially lower the cost of photovoltaic and DSSCs in future commercial applications.

Earth abundant FeS<sub>2</sub> nanomaterials for photovoltaic and catalytic applications

248th National Meeting (2014)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.

Earth abundant FeS2 nanomaterials for photovoltaic and catalytic applications

Earth abundant FeS₂ nanomaterials for photovoltaic and catalytic applications