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Chen X, Zhou SH, Zhang C, Lin H, Liu Y. A novel bifunctional thioarsenate based on unprecedented molecular [Cd 4As 8Se 16(Se 2) 2] 8- cluster anions. Chem Commun (Camb) 2023; 59:12124-12127. [PMID: 37740276 DOI: 10.1039/d3cc03538g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/24/2023]
Abstract
Exploring and developing new functional inorganic chalcogenides with unique structures is always one of the most important missions in solid-state chemistry, especially those with molecular structures. Herein, a novel quaternary thioarsenate, Cs2CdAsSe5, is found to be based on an unprecedented molecular (poly)chalcogenide cluster architecture, which has never been discovered in inorganic chalcogenide systems. This rare windmill-like [Cd4As8Se16(Se2)2]8- cluster is made of four [CdSe4] and [As(V)Se4] tetrahedra via corner-sharing Se atoms and Se-Se bonds. Specifically, Cs2CdAsSe5 exhibits a remarkable photocurrent response and a large computationally predicted birefringence, and the origin of the optoelectronic performance and optical anisotropy is confirmed by detailed theoretical investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Chen
- Institute for Composites Science Innovation (InCSI), School of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China.
| | - Sheng-Hua Zhou
- Fujian Science & Technology Innovation Laboratory for Optoelectronic Information of China, Fuzhou, Fujian 350108, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Structural Chemistry, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Fuzhou, Fujian 350002, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Chao Zhang
- Institute for Composites Science Innovation (InCSI), School of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China.
| | - Hua Lin
- Fujian Science & Technology Innovation Laboratory for Optoelectronic Information of China, Fuzhou, Fujian 350108, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Structural Chemistry, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Fuzhou, Fujian 350002, China
| | - Yi Liu
- Institute for Composites Science Innovation (InCSI), School of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China.
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Centeno P, Alexandre M, Neves F, Fortunato E, Martins R, Águas H, Mendes MJ. Copper-Arsenic-Sulfide Thin-Films from Local Raw Materials Deposited via RF Co-Sputtering for Photovoltaics. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 12:3268. [PMID: 36234397 PMCID: PMC9565231 DOI: 10.3390/nano12193268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Revised: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The inexorable increase of energy demand and the efficiency bottleneck of monocrystalline silicon solar cell technology is promoting the research and development of alternative photovoltaic materials. Copper-arsenic-sulfide (CAS) compounds are still rather unexplored in the literature, yet they have been regarded as promising candidates for use as p-type absorber in solar cells, owing to their broad raw material availability, suitable bandgap and high absorption coefficient. Here, a comprehensive study is presented on the structural and optoelectronic properties of CAS thin-films deposited via radio-frequency magnetron co-sputtering, using a commercial Cu target together with a Cu-As-S target with material obtained from local resources, specifically from mines in the Portuguese region of the Iberian Pyrite Belt. Raman and X-ray diffraction analysis confirm that the use of two targets results in films with pronounced stoichiometry gradients, suggesting a transition from amorphous CAS compounds to crystalline djurleite (Cu31S16), with the increasing proximity to the Cu target. Resistivity values from 4.7 mΩ·cm to 17.4 Ω·cm are obtained, being the lowest resistive films, those with pronounced sub-bandgap free-carrier absorption. The bandgap values range from 2.20 to 2.65 eV, indicating promising application as wide-bandgap semiconductors in third-generation (e.g., multi-junction) photovoltaic devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Centeno
- CENIMAT|i3N, Department of Materials Science, School of Science and Technology, NOVA University Lisbon and CEMOP/UNINOVA, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
| | - Miguel Alexandre
- CENIMAT|i3N, Department of Materials Science, School of Science and Technology, NOVA University Lisbon and CEMOP/UNINOVA, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
| | - Filipe Neves
- LNEG, Laboratório Nacional de Energia e Geologia, Estrada do Paço do Lumiar 22, 1649-038 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Elvira Fortunato
- CENIMAT|i3N, Department of Materials Science, School of Science and Technology, NOVA University Lisbon and CEMOP/UNINOVA, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
| | - Rodrigo Martins
- CENIMAT|i3N, Department of Materials Science, School of Science and Technology, NOVA University Lisbon and CEMOP/UNINOVA, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
| | - Hugo Águas
- CENIMAT|i3N, Department of Materials Science, School of Science and Technology, NOVA University Lisbon and CEMOP/UNINOVA, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
| | - Manuel J. Mendes
- CENIMAT|i3N, Department of Materials Science, School of Science and Technology, NOVA University Lisbon and CEMOP/UNINOVA, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
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Phase Analysis and Thermoelectric Properties of Cu-Rich Tetrahedrite Prepared by Solvothermal Synthesis. MATERIALS 2022; 15:ma15030849. [PMID: 35160795 PMCID: PMC8836493 DOI: 10.3390/ma15030849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Revised: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Because of the large Seebeck coefficient, low thermal conductivity, and earth-abundant nature of components, tetrahedrites are promising thermoelectric materials. DFT calculations reveal that the additional copper atoms in Cu-rich Cu14Sb4S13 tetrahedrite can effectively engineer the chemical potential towards high thermoelectric performance. Here, the Cu-rich tetrahedrite phase was prepared using a novel approach, which is based on the solvothermal method and piperazine serving both as solvent and reagent. As only pure elements were used for the synthesis, the offered method allows us to avoid the typically observed inorganic salt contaminations in products. Prepared in such a way, Cu14Sb4S13 tetrahedrite materials possess a very high Seebeck coefficient (above 400 μVK−1) and low thermal conductivity (below 0.3 Wm−1K−1), yielding to an excellent dimensionless thermoelectric figure of merit ZT ≈ 0.65 at 723 K. The further enhancement of the thermoelectric performance is expected after attuning the carrier concentration to the optimal value for achieving the highest possible power factor in this system.
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Liu C, Yang HD, Hou PP, Xiao Y, Liu Y, Lin H. Cs 3CuAs 4Q 8 (Q = S, Se): unique two-dimensional layered inorganic thioarsenates with the lowest Cu-to-As ratio and remarkable photocurrent responses. Dalton Trans 2021; 51:904-909. [PMID: 34935849 DOI: 10.1039/d1dt03801j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Inorganic chalcogenides containing cations with lone-pair electrons have attracted considerable attention because of their potential applications in photocatalysis. In this research, two new copper thioarsenates with the lowest Cu-to-As ratio in the quaternary X/Cu/As/Q (X = inorganic cations; Q = chalcogen) system, namely Cs3CuAs4Q8 (Q = S, Se), were obtained by a simple surfactant-thermal method at a low temperature. These two isostructural compounds belong to the monoclinic space group C2/c (no. 15) and are composed charge-balanced Cs+ cations and two-dimensional anionic [CuAs4Q8]3- layers. Notably, photo-electrochemical measurements indicate that Cs3CuAs4Q8 possesses a remarkable photocurrent response under simulated solar-light illumination. Further theoretical studies were performed to gain insights into the relationships between electronic structure and optical properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang Liu
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xi'an 710021, China
| | - He-Di Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Structural Chemistry, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Fuzhou, Fujian 350002, China. .,College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fujian 350002, China
| | - Pei-Pei Hou
- Institute for Composites Science Innovation (InCSI), School of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China.
| | - Yu Xiao
- Institute for Composites Science Innovation (InCSI), School of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China.
| | - Yi Liu
- Institute for Composites Science Innovation (InCSI), School of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China.
| | - Hua Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Structural Chemistry, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Fuzhou, Fujian 350002, China. .,Fujian Science & Technology Innovation Laboratory for Optoelectronic Information of China, Fuzhou, Fujian 350108, China
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Zhu C, Chen Q, Ming H, Qin X, Yang Y, Zhang J, Peng D, Chen T, Li D, Kawazoe Y. Improved Thermoelectric Performance of Cu 12Sb 4S 13 through Gd-Substitution Induced Enhancement of Electronic Density of States and Phonon Scattering. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2021; 13:25092-25101. [PMID: 34027655 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.1c03493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Cu12Sb4S13 has aroused great interest because of its earth-abundant constituents and intrinsic low thermal conductivity. However, the applications of Cu12Sb4S13 are hindered by its poor thermoelectric performance. Herein, it is shown that Gd substitution not only causes a significant increase in both electrical conductivity σ and thermopower S but also leads to dramatic drop in lattice thermal conductivity κL. Consequently, large ZT reaches 0.94 at 749 K for Cu11.7Gd0.3Sb4S13, which is ∼41% higher than the ZT value of undoped sample. Rietveld refinements of XRD results show that accompanying inhibition of impurity phase Cu3SbS4, the number of Cu vacancies increases substantially with substituted content x (x ≤ 0.3), which leads to reduced κL owing to intensive phonon scattering by the point defects and increased σ arising from the charged defects (VCu'). Crucially, synchrotron radiation photoelectron spectroscopy reveals substantial increment of electronic density of states at Fermi level upon Gd substitution, which is proven, by our first-principle calculations, to originate from contribution of Gd 4f orbit, resulting in enhancement of S. Our study provides us with a new path to enhance thermoelectric performance of Cu12Sb4S13.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Zhu
- Key Lab of Photovoltaic and Energy Conservation Materials, Institute of Solid State Physics, HFIPS, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, PR China
- University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, PR China
| | - Quan Chen
- Key Lab of Photovoltaic and Energy Conservation Materials, Institute of Solid State Physics, HFIPS, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, PR China
- Anhui University, Hefei 230601, PR China
| | - Hongwei Ming
- Key Lab of Photovoltaic and Energy Conservation Materials, Institute of Solid State Physics, HFIPS, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, PR China
- University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, PR China
| | - Xiaoying Qin
- Key Lab of Photovoltaic and Energy Conservation Materials, Institute of Solid State Physics, HFIPS, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, PR China
| | - Yong Yang
- Key Lab of Photovoltaic and Energy Conservation Materials, Institute of Solid State Physics, HFIPS, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, PR China
| | - Jian Zhang
- Key Lab of Photovoltaic and Energy Conservation Materials, Institute of Solid State Physics, HFIPS, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, PR China
| | - Di Peng
- Key Lab of Photovoltaic and Energy Conservation Materials, Institute of Solid State Physics, HFIPS, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, PR China
- University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, PR China
| | - Tao Chen
- Key Lab of Photovoltaic and Energy Conservation Materials, Institute of Solid State Physics, HFIPS, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, PR China
- University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, PR China
| | - Di Li
- Key Lab of Photovoltaic and Energy Conservation Materials, Institute of Solid State Physics, HFIPS, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, PR China
| | - Yoshiyuki Kawazoe
- New Industry Creation Hatchery Center, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8577, Japan
- Department of Physics and Nanotechnology, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur 603203, Tamil Nadu India
- School of Physics, Suranaree University of Technology, 111 University Avenue Muang, Nakhon Ratchasima 30000, Thailand
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