Effect of ambient argon pressure on the structural, optical and electrical properties of non-crystalline Se85Te3Bi12 nano-thin films

Abstract

In this research work, we have synthesized non-crystalline Se85Te3Bi12 chalcogenide glasses by conventional melt quenching technique. The differential scanning calorimetry measurement of the synthesized specimen was done to confirm the glassy as well as non-crystalline nature of the bulk Se85Te3Bi12 alloy. The nano-thin films of thickness 30 nm of the synthesized sample at two different ambient argon pressures (1 Torr and 3 Torr) were made using the physical vapor condensation technique at a constant substrate temperature of 77 K using liquid nitrogen. The non-appearance of prominent peaks in the high-resolution x-ray diffractometer profile confirmed the non-crystalline nature of synthesized nano-thin films. The morphological analysis of the prepared nano-thin films using Field emission scanning electron microscopy confirmed the nanochalcogenide having particle size ranges from 30–90 nm. The Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy suggests the presence of moisture and carbon impurities in the prepared nano-thin films. The broad optical transmission shadow observed in the FTIR results is an essential requirement for new-generation IR systems. Based on UV-visible spectroscopy, optical parameters such as optical absorption coefficients, Urbach energy, optical band gaps, Tauc’s parameter and extinction coefficients were measured for synthesized Se85Te3Bi12 nano-thin films. The value of absorption coefficients, Tauc’s parameters, optical band gap and extinction coefficients increases with the increase of ambient argon pressure. The outcome of these studies recommends that these materials can be a preeminent candidate for photovoltaic applications. Photoluminescence spectroscopy results are accredited to the accumulation of non-crystalline nanochalcogenide particles on the substrates. DC conductivity measurements further confirm the semiconducting nature of the nanochalcogenide Se85Te3Bi12 thin films.