Science and Engineering Blog

Pyrite, commonly known as fake gold or fool’s gold, for its resemblance to the precious metal was much interest in the dawn of the solar photovoltaic energy because it had an enormous capacity to absorb the sun’s energy, was plentiful, and could be used in layers up to 2,000 times thinner than some of its competitors, such as silicon. However, it lost interest because did not permit an efficient conversion of solar energy to electric.

In a new study, the team of the chemist Douglas Keszler from Oregon State University has found the reason for this deficiency in the pyrite. In the process of manufacturing solar cells, the materials undergo a considerable amount of heat. At these high temperatures, pyrite starts to decompose and form products that prevent the production of electricity.