Colloidal Iron Pyrite (FeS2) Nanocrystal Inks for Thin-Film Photovoltaics

Iron pyrite (FeS2) is a promising earth-abundant semiconductor for thin-film solar cells. In this work, phase-pure, single-crystalline, and well-dispersed colloidal FeS2 nanocrystals (NCs) were synthesized in high yield by a simple hot-injection route in octadecylamine and then were subjected to partial ligand exchange with octadecylxanthate to yield stable pyrite NC inks. Polycrystalline pyrite thin films were fabricated by sintering layers of these NCs at 500-600 degrees C under a sulfur atmosphere.