Synthesis and Properties of Semiconducting Iron Pyrite (FeS2) Nanowires

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Abstract
We report the growth and structural, electrical, and optical characterization of vertically oriented single-crystalline iron pyrite (FeS2) 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 1021 cm–3. These pyrite nanowires could provide a platform to further study and improve the physical properties of pyrite nanostructures toward solar energy conversion.

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