The Renaissance of Iron Pyrite Photovoltaics: Progress, Challenges, and Perspectives - Low-cost Nanomaterials: Toward Greener and More Efficient Energy Applications - page 151

Fig. 10 EQE of photoelectrochemical solar cell. Reprinted with permission from [ 4 ]

Fig. 11 J-V curve of
champion pyrite
photoelectrochemical cell.
Reprinted with permission
from [ 4 ]

solution where it is reduced. Though the cell deliverers an efficiency of 1 %, the
quantum efficiency only reached 10 %. It was believed the quantum efficiency was
low due to pyrite being a high absorbing material, which creates the excitons near
the surface of the pyrite/electrolyte interface where they will quickly recombine.
These three device setups are the main body of solar cell devices in older litera-
ture, but with the revival of interest due to nanotechnology, new photovoltaic and
photodetector devices are being fabricated.