Abstract

Aluminum antimony (AlSb) is a promising photovoltaic material with a band gap of about 1.62 eV. However, AlSb is highly deliquescent and not stable, which has brought great difficulties to the applications. Based on the above situation, there are two purposes for preparing our Zn-doped AlSb (AlSb:Zn) thin films: One is to make P-type AlSb and the other is to find a way to suppress the deliquescence of AlSb. The AlSb:Zn thin films were prepared on glass substrates at different substrate temperatures by using the pulsed laser deposition (PLD) method. The structural, surface morphological, optical, and electrical properties of AlSb:Zn films were investigated. The crystallization of AlSb:Zn thin films was enhanced and the electrical resistivity decreased as the substrate temperature increased. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images indicated that the grain sizes became bigger as the substrate temperatures increased. The Raman vibration mode AlSb:Zn films were located at ~107 and ~142 cm−1 and the intensity of Raman peaks was stronger at higher substrate temperatures. In the experiment, a reduced band gap (1.4 eV) of the AlSb:Zn thin film was observed compared to the undoped AlSb films, which were more suitable for thin-film solar cells. Zn doping could reduce the deliquescent speed of AlSb thin films. The fabricated heterojunction device showed the good rectification behavior, which indicated the PN junction formation. The obvious photovoltaic effect has been observed in an FTO/ZnS/AlSb:Zn/Au device.

Highlights

  • Aluminum antimony (AlSb) is a binary compound semiconductor material with a theoretical indirect band gap of 1.62 eV that is very compatible with the solar spectrum [1]

  • AlSb:Zn thin films were successfully deposited on glass substrates by the pulsed laser deposition (PLD) method using a a single source of AlSb:Zn target

  • The crystallization of AlSb:Zn thin films was improved by increasing the substrate temperature

Read more

Summary

Introduction

Aluminum antimony (AlSb) is a binary compound semiconductor material with a theoretical indirect band gap of 1.62 eV that is very compatible with the solar spectrum [1]. Theoretical calculations predict Zn doping can dramatically increase the chemical stability and reduce the band gap for AlSb predict. Doping can dramatically increase the chemical stability and reduce the band gap forisAlSb thin films. Experimental elementthe doping of AlSb while the thin AlSb film isthin formed stillthe in in itsfilms infancy. AlSb thin films by the one-step one-step facile PLD method. The optical and electrical properties of the films have been studied. AlSb-based photovoltaic device and was electrical fabricated,properties from which we films observed obvious photovoltaic effect. Photovoltaic device was fabricated, from which we observed an obvious photovoltaic effect

Experimental
A Labram
Hz4was for the growth thewas
Results and Discussion
The improved of thebe
The resistivity of of AlSb:Zn
Conclusions

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.