Synthesis of FeS2 and Co-doped FeS2 films with the aid of supercritical carbon dioxide and their photoelectrochemical properties

The prepared FeS2 and Co-doped FeS2 films revealed better properties in photocurrent response and photocatalysis of water photolysis under simulated sunlight. The films were synthesized on iron substrates with the aid of supercritical carbon dioxide. The experimental results demonstrated that the supercritical carbon dioxide could play an important role in evolution of phases and morphologies during the reaction process. Moreover, the prepared films were characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM and EDS. The UV-vis absorption spectroscopy indicated that the absorption edge has obvious blue shift compared with bulk FeS2. Interestingly, characteristics of photoelectric response and water photolysis were shown by photoelectrochemical experiments under sunlight. Therefore, the prepared films would have an advantage in water photolysis utilizing sunlight.