Iron pyrite thin films from molecular inks

US9048375B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The Regents of the University of California · US

Inventors

• Matthew Law · Berkeley, US
• Amanda S. Weber · Irvine, US
• Sean Seefeld · Irvine, US
• James Puthussery · Tustin, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 13, 2013
• Grant date: Jun 2, 2015
• Expiry date: Mar 13, 2033

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02P70/50
• WIPO field: Surface technology, coating
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for fabricating pyrite thin films from molecular inks. A process is provided that comprises dissolving simple iron-bearing and sulfur-bearing molecules in an appropriate solvent and then depositing the solution onto an appropriate substrate using one of several methods (roll-to-roll coating, spraying, spin coating, etc.), resulting in a solid film consisting of the molecules. These molecular precursor films are then heated to 200-600° C. in the presence of sulfur-bearing gases (e.g., S2, H2S) to convert the molecular films into films of crystalline iron pyrite (FeS2).