Physical properties of photoconductive Ag-Sb-S thin films prepared by thermal evaporation

M. I. Medina-Montes, L.A. Baldenegro Pérez , Michael Morales-Luna, T.G. Sánchez, D. Santos Cruz, S. A. Mayén-Hernández, J. Santos-Cruz

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

We used thermal evaporation and post-deposition thermal treatment to prepare photoconductive Ag-Sb-S thin films. Firstly, to obtain the Ag 2S/Sb 2S 3/substrate samples, we sequentially evaporated both Sb 2S 3 and Ag 2S precursors. Secondly, we converted the double-layered structure in Ag-Sb-S thin films through a post-annealing treatment. Finally, considering the variation in both temperature of this treatment and amount of evaporated Ag 2S, we evaluated the formation of AgSbS 2 and Ag 3SbS 3 ternary phases in the films. As a result, we identified the coexistence of cubic and monoclinic AgSbS 2 and monoclinic and hexagonal Ag 3SbS 3 phases. In addition, the evolution from metastable to stable phases of AgSbS 2 and Ag 3SbS 3 is presented. Using Raman vibrational modes at 267 cm -1 for the monoclinic and 323 cm -1 for the hexagonal phases and X-ray diffraction results, we identified the dominant Ag 3SbS 3 crystalline structure. Furthermore, we found that, respectively, the optical band gap, electrical conductivity and photosensitivity are in the range of 1.7–1.85 eV, 1.3 × 10 -7 to 7.4 × 10 -5 (Ω-cm) -1 and 29 to 0.5. Consequently, the Ag-Sb-S thin films are suitable as the absorber layer in photovoltaic solar cells.

Original languageEnglish
Article number106167
Pages (from-to)1
Number of pages14
JournalMaterials Science in Semiconductor Processing
Volume137
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2022

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
The authors acknowledge José Campos Alvarez for SEM images and EDXS measurements, María Luisa Ramón for her advice on XRD analysis (IER-UNAM) and Claudia Tomasini Montenegro for her assistance in writing-review and editing. MIMM thanks the postdoctoral fellowship from CONACYT-SENER Sustentabilidad Energética.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 Elsevier Ltd

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Materials Science(all)
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Mechanics of Materials
  • Mechanical Engineering

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Physical properties of photoconductive Ag-Sb-S thin films prepared by thermal evaporation'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this