Photoactive pyrite layer and process for making and using same

US4649227A · kind A · utility

Inventors

• Helmut Tributsch · Berlin, DE
• Ahmed Ennaoui · Berlin, DE
• Wolfram Jaegermann · Berlin, DE
• Sebastian Fiechter · Berlin, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 24, 1985
• Grant date: Mar 10, 1987
• Expiry date: Jul 24, 2005

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02E10/50
• WIPO field: Surface technology, coating
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

Photoactive pyrite layers, whose preparation and use represent a commercially highly interesting alternative to materials hitherto in common use. The semiconductor material chiefly used until now, e.g. for solar cells, is silicon. However, its costs of manufacture are too high to allow solar cells to be made at favorable cost. The significance of the disclosure and development of pyrite as a semiconductor material, especially for solar cells, lies in the fact that it is plentifully occurring and cheap, as well as environmentally compatible. Pyrite (iron pyrites, FeS.sub.2) can be used as a photoactive material in solar cells and in optoelectronic components. It is possible to use both naturally occurring pyrite, after a material treatment to improve the photosensitivity, as well as synthetically produced, single-crystal and polycrystalline pyrite.