Characterization of the Nano-Rod Arrays of Pyrite Thin Films Prepared by Aqueous Chemical Growth and a Subsequent Sulfurization.

Pyrite is an earth-abundant and low-cost material with a specific collection of properties including a low band gap and high absorption coefficient of solar light. These properties make pyrite a good choice in a wide variety of applications such as catalysts, batteries, and photovoltaic devices. A thin film composed of vertically aligned pyrite nano-rods was processed via a hydration-condensation method followed by subsequent aging and sulfurization.