Synthesis and structural characterization of FeS2 nanoparticles using rietveld refinement

We report the synthesis and characterization of FeS2 nanoparticles (NPs) in view of their possible applications, which may range from organic and inorganic based hybrid solar cells to the replacements of Lithium Batteries (LIBs). The Polyol method was used to prepare the Iron Pyrite (FeS2) NPs with reducing reagent Ethylene Glycol (EG) and precursor Thiourea. The crystalline quality and stoichiometry of synthesized FeS2 NPs were confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman Spectroscopy, which gave an average crystallite size of 35.4 nm. The Rietveld refinement of the diffraction data revealed the lattice parameters, hkl values, phase, Rp (Profile Factor) etc. of FeS2NPs through the profile matching routine of FullProf software. The elemental has been investigation has been performed using Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS), where characteristic emission peaks of Fe and S elements were observed. Further, Raman Spectroscopy experiment provided information on chemical bonding and symmetry of molecules for the device possibilities of surfactant coated FeS2 NPs.