Stutz EZ, Zamani M, Damry DA, Buswell L, Paul R, Escobar Steinvall S, Leran JB, Boland JL, Dimitrievska M, Fontcuberta I Morral A. Showcasing the optical properties of monocrystalline zinc phosphide thin films as an earth-abundant photovoltaic absorber.
MATERIALS ADVANCES 2022;
3:1295-1303. [PMID:
35178521 PMCID:
PMC8784961 DOI:
10.1039/d1ma00922b]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Zinc phosphide, Zn3P2, is a semiconductor with a high absorption coefficient in the spectral range relevant for single junction photovoltaic applications. It is made of elements abundant in the Earth's crust, opening up a pathway for large deployment of solar cell alternatives to the silicon market. Here we provide a thorough study of the optical properties of single crystalline Zn3P2 thin films grown on (100) InP by molecular beam epitaxy. The films are slightly phosphorus-rich as determined by Rutherford backscattering. We elucidate two main radiative recombination pathways: one transition at approximately 1.52 eV attributed to zone-center band-to-band electronic transitions; and a lower-energy transition observed at 1.3 eV to 1.4 eV attributed to a defect band or band tail related recombination mechanisms. We believe phosphorus interstitials are likely at the origin of this band.
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