Synthesis and properties of semiconducting iron pyrite (FeS2) nanowires.

Cabán-Acevedo, Miguel; Faber, Matthew S; Tan, Yizheng; Hamers, Robert J; Jin, Song · Nano Lett · 2012

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

We report the growth and structural, electrical, and optical characterization of vertically oriented single-crystalline iron pyrite (FeS(2)) nanowires synthesized via thermal sulfidation of steel foil for the first time. The pyrite nanowires have diameters of 4-10 nm and lengths greater than 2 μm. Their crystal phase was identified as cubic iron pyrite using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and powder X-ray diffraction. Electrical transport measurements showed the pyrite nanowires to be highly p-doped, with an average resistivity of 0.18 ± 0.09 Ω cm and carrier concentrations on the order of 10(21) cm(-3). These pyrite nanowires could provide a platform to further study and improve the physical properties of pyrite nanostructures toward solar energy conversion.