Back to results
US 9,806,208 B2Granted
Method of passivating an iron disulfide surface via encapsulation in a zinc sulfide matrix
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
InventorsJesse A. Frantz, Jason D. Myers, Colin C. Baker, Jasbinder S. Sanghera, Steven C. Erwin
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method for passivating the surface of crystalline iron disulfide (FeS2) by encapsulating it within an epitaxial zinc sulfide (ZnS) matrix. Also disclosed is the related product comprising FeS2 encapsulated by a ZnS matrix in which the sulfur atoms at the FeS2 surfaces are passivated. Additionally disclosed is a photovoltaic (PV) device incorporating FeS2 encapsulated by a ZnS matrix.
Claims18
A method for passivating iron disulfide crystallites, comprising:
- forming iron disulfide crystallites comprising crystal surfaces;
- and
- encapsulating the iron disulfide crystallites within an epitaxial zinc sulfide matrix;
- wherein the epitaxial zinc sulfide matrix passivates sulfur atoms present on the crystal surfaces of the iron disulfide crystallites, thereby reducing surface defects as compared to iron disulfide crystallites not encapsulated by an epitaxial zinc sulfide matrix.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.