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US 9,806,209 B2Granted
Passivated iron disulfide surface encapsulated in zinc sulfide
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
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Abstract
A passivated iron disulfide (FeS2) surface encapsulated by an epitaxial zinc sulfide (ZnS) capping layer or matrix is provided. Also disclosed are methods for passivating the surface of crystalline iron disulfide by encapsulating it with an epitaxial zinc sulfide capping layer or matrix. Additionally disclosed is a photovoltaic (PV) device incorporating FeS2 encapsulated by ZnS.
Claims20
A passivated iron disulfide film, comprising:
- a crystalline iron disulfide layer having a surface comprising crystal surfaces;
- a substrate;
- and
- an epitaxial zinc sulfide capping layer encapsulating the crystal surfaces of the crystalline iron disulfide layer,
- wherein the epitaxial zinc sulfide capping layer passivates sulfur atoms present on the crystal surfaces on the surface of the crystalline iron disulfide layer, thereby reducing surface defects as compared to a crystalline iron disulfide layer not capped with an epitaxial zinc sulfide layer.
2 more elements
Passivated iron disulfide crystallites, comprising:
- iron disulfide crystallites comprising crystal surfaces;
- an epitaxial zinc sulfide matrix encapsulating the iron disulfide crystallites;
- and
- 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.