Structural, morphological, and optoelectronic properties of rod-like iron pyrite nanocrystals for solar cell applications

Abstract

Semiconducting, octadecylamine (ODA)-capped, rod-like FeS2 nanocrystals (NCs) are prepared and their properties are characterized. Transmission electron microscopy studies revealed the lattice fringes were clearly visible, confirming that the rod-like FeS2 NCs obtained in this study were highly crystalline. X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies indicated that the structure of FeS2 NCs is in cubic phase. Optical properties showed that the FeS2 NCs can be a promising candidate for the electron acceptor material in the bulk hetero-junction (BHJ) solar cell applications. The power conversion efficiency of the BHJ solar cells using polymer and the rod-like FeS2 NCs with a structure of glass/ITO/PEDOT:PSS/ (FeS2+polymer)/Al was found to be >0.45%.