The preferential growth of pyrite films prepared by thermal sulfuration of Fe2O3 films

► Effect of sulfurizing temperature on crystal orientations of pyrite films has been investigated. ► Both surface free energy and intrinsic strain decreased with increasing sulfurizing temperature. ► Surface free energy mainly controlled the film growth when sulfurizing temperature was low and films developed into (1 1 1) preferred orientation. ► Strain energy mainly controlled the films growth when sulfurizing temperature was high and films developed into (2 0 0) and (3 1 1) preferred orientations.