Synthesis and Evaluation of Iron Pyrite for Photovoltaic Applications

Abstract

The potential of iron pyrite (FeS2) as a novel photovoltaic material and a low-cost, environmentally-friendly alternative to conventional solar cells was evaluated in this work. The primary focus was on the synthesis and characterization of iron pyrite and its impact on the solar energy applications. Iron pyrite, an abundant and non-toxic semiconductor, presents a promising alternative to conventional photovoltaic materials due to its high optical absorption and suitable optical parameters. In this study, iron pyrite was synthesized through the solvothermal method under various conditions to optimize its morphological and structural properties. This synthesis method was selected for its ability to produce high-purity materials with controlled crystalline structures. The synthesized iron pyrite was then employed to fabricate thin films using the drop-casting technique, enabling the evaluation of their optical properties through variable angle spectroscopic ellipsometry (VASE). The optical properties of the iron pyrite thin films demonstrated strong absorption in the visible spectrum, with a direct bandgap energy suitable for photovoltaic applications. Pyrite thin films were also deposited through sputtering and similar characterization was carried out. Subsequently, the modified Tiedje-Yablonovitch model was utilized to assess the photovoltaic potential of the prepared iron pyrite thin films. This model facilitated the determination of key parameters such as the short circuit current, open circuit voltage, and power conversion efficiency, which are crucial for evaluating the efficiency of photovoltaic materials. The findings of this research indicate that iron pyrite synthesized via the solvothermal method and processed into thin films through drop-casting exhibits promising photovoltaic properties. The results suggest that with further optimization of the synthesis and fabrication processes, iron pyrite could serve as a viable and sustainable material for future solar cell technologies.

Date of Award	6 Dec 2024
Original language	American English
Supervisor	Saeed Alhassan (Supervisor)