Synthesis and Phase Analysis of CuFeS₂ Powders Prepared by Hydrothermal Method

Abstract

In recent years, CuFeS₂ optoelectronic materials are widely concerned by scientists because of their advantages of safety, non-toxicity and low price. In this work, the CuFeS₂ powders were synthesized by simple hydrothermal co-reduction method, the effects of different heat treatment conditions and different sulfur sources on preparation of CuFeS₂ phase were systematically studied with CuCl₂·2H₂O and FeCl₃·6H₂O as raw materials. The phase structure and surface morphology of the samples were analyzed by X-ray Powder diffractometer (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). It was found that when the sulfur source was sulfur powder, the sample crystallized well and has no impurity formation. With the reaction temperature extending to 220 °C, the diffraction peak intensity is obviously improved while the grain size decreases slightly with the increase of temperature. The extension of heat treatment temperature and holding time is favorable for preparation of CuFeS₂ power and the impurity Fe₃O₄ crystal can be effectively eliminated by prolonging the time and increasing temperature. With the reaction temperature extending to 220 °C, the shorter the time required for Fe₃O₄ crystal to disappear. Therefore, the optimum heat treatment temperature for preparing CuFeS₂ powder is 220 °C and the time is 20 h.

Keywords:

• Optoelectronic materials
• hydrothermal co-reduction
• CuFeS₂

Additional information

Funding

This work was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No.51272140) and the Innovation Team of the Co-Innovation Center for Green Building of Shandong Province in Shandong Jianzhu University.