Abstract
[Display omitted] Dr. Mohammad Ziaur Rahman is an expert in low-dimensional materials synthesis, characterization, and application in solar energy conversion and storage. His current research is on making FeS2 a better solar cell material.
[Display omitted] Professor Tomas Edvinsson is directing a research group that is working on low-dimensional materials for solar cells (FeS2, CIGS, DSSc, and perovskites) and photocatalysis. He is a principal investigator and project leader for several national projects from the Swedish Research Council, Swedish Energy Agency, and part of the Swedish node for a European H2020 project within solar fuels.
Iron pyrite (FeS2) has ranked as the best among 23 solar cell’s materials for low-cost solar electricity production. However, the intriguing problem with FeS2 solar cells is poor efficiency (<3%) due to low photovoltage (<0.2 V). In the literature, sulfur vacancies (S vacancies) have been reasoned for this low photovoltage. Here, we question with a deductive reasoning in light of debates and inconsistency in the published results: should S vacancies be taken for granted for poor photovoltage in FeS2 solar cells?”