On the preparation of iron pyrite from synthetic and natural targets by pulsed electron deposition

Omar Al-Shareeda , Redhouane Henda , Allan Pratt , Andrew M. McDonald

Abstract

We report on the preparation of iron pyrite (FeS2) using pulsed electron ablation of two targets, namely, a mixture of sulfur and iron compound target, and a natural iron pyrite target. Thin films of around 50 nm in thickness have been deposited on glass substrates under Argon background gas at 3 mTorr, and at a substrate temperature of up to 450oc. The thin films have been analyzed chemically and examined structurally using x-ray diffraction (XRD), x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and visible Raman spectroscopy. The morphology and thickness of the films have been assessed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and visible spectroscopic reflectance. The preliminary findings, using a synthetic target, show the presence of iron pyrite with increasing proportion as substrate temperature is increased from 150oc to 250oc. The data have not shown any evidence of pyrite in the deposited films from a natural target.

Key Words

iron pyrite; pulsed electron beam ablation; thin films; photovoltaics

Address

Omar Al-Shareeda and Redhouane Henda — School of Engineering, Laurentian University, Sudbury, P3E 2C6, Canada
Allan Pratt — CANMET Mining and Mineral Sciences Laboratories, Natural Resources Ottawa, K1A 0G1, Canada
Andrew M. McDonald — Earth Science Dept., Laurentian University, Sudbury, P3E 2C6, Canada

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