Structural, optical and electrical properties of Ag-doped SnS2 nano-flowers synthesized by solvothermal method

Abstract

This paper elucidates the structural, optical and electrical properties of undoped and Ag-doped SnS2 nano-flowers synthesized by solvothermal method. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman, Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), UV–vis spectroscopy, I–V and Hall effect measurement techniques were used to investigate the material properties. XRD and Raman results indicate pure hexagonal phase of SnS2 without showing the phase corresponding to Ag dopant. Lattice expansion was also observed from the XRD analysis. FESEM images show nano-flower like structure with no change in morphology with doping. XPS analysis confirms the existence of Ag ions in the host SnS2 with the oxidation state of +1. From the UV–vis analysis, a red shift in the optical response was observed with Ag doping which indicates a decrease in band gap. I–V and Hall effect measurements reveal an enhancement in current as well as carrier concentration with Ag doping. The above results support the application of material as absorber layer in solar cells.