Yellow electroluminescence from metastable zinc silicate in an electrolyte-assisted silicon semiconductor structure

Abstract

Electrolyte-assisted semiconductors have garnered significant attention as a novel type of semiconductor device due to their unique properties. Notably, the electrolyte-assisted electroluminescent (EEL) device offers several advantages, including a simple structure, low operating voltage, and reduced need for band engineering compared to conventional EL devices. However, achieving practical applications for EEL devices remains challenging due to their inherent issues. In this study, we introduce a yellow-emitting EEL device that utilizes a metastable β-phase Zn2SiO4:Mn2+ film as the optically functional material. The film is prepared using a cost-effective process, optimizing both the crystallization temperature and the concentration of Mn2+. Additionally, we employ a non-toxic aqueous NaCl as the electrolyte in the device setup. The crystal phase, morphology, optical, and electrical properties, along with reliability, are comprehensively investigated in our study. The results highlight the significance of our proposed work in advancing the development of electrolyte-assisted semiconductors within the realm of silicon photonics.