Temperature dependent current–voltage characteristics of the Zn/ZnO/n-Si/Au–Sb structure with ZnO interface layer grown on n-Si substrate by SILAR method

Abstract

This is the first time; it was employed Successive Ionic Layer Adsorption and Reaction (SILAR) method in order to prepare Zn/ZnO/n-Si/Au–Sb sandwich structure. The ZnO interface layer was directly formed on n-type Si substrate using SILAR method. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies were showed that the film is covered well on n-type Si substrate and have polycrystalline structure. An Au–Sb electrode was used as an ohmic contact. The Zn/ZnO/n-Si/Au–Sb sandwich structure demonstrated clearly rectifying behavior by the current–voltage ( I– V) curves studied at room temperature. The sample temperature effect on the current–voltage ( I–V) characteristics of Zn/ZnO/n-Si/Au–Sb structure was investigated in temperature range 80–320 K by steps of 20 K. The parameters such as barrier height, ideality factor and series resistance of this structure were calculated from the forward bias I–V characteristics as a function of sample temperature. It was seen that the ideality factor and series resistance were decreased; the barrier height were increased with increasing temperature. The experimental values of barrier height and ideality factor for this device were calculated as 0.808 eV and 1.519 at 320 K; 0.220 eV and 4.961 at 80 K, respectively. These abnormal behaviors can be explained by the barrier inhomogeneities at the metal–semiconductor ( M– S) interface.