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Synthesis and characterization of semiconducting sinnerite (Cu6As4S9) thin films

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 February 2020

Scott A. McClary Open the ORCID record for Scott A. McClary [Opens in a new window]  and
Rakesh Agrawal Open the ORCID record for Rakesh Agrawal [Opens in a new window]
Scott A. McClary
Affiliation:
Davidson School of Chemical Engineering, Purdue University, 480 Stadium Mall Dr., West Lafayette, IN47907, USA
Rakesh Agrawal*
Affiliation:
Davidson School of Chemical Engineering, Purdue University, 480 Stadium Mall Dr., West Lafayette, IN47907, USA
*
Address all correspondence to Rakesh Agrawal at agrawalr@purdue.edu
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Abstract

Sinnerite (Cu6As4S9) is a semiconductor computed to have attractive optoelectronic properties, but little attention has been paid to its experimental synthesis and characterization. Here, the authors report the first synthesis of polycrystalline sinnerite thin films. By heating Cu3AsS4 nanoparticles in sealed ampoules with As2S2 powder, a phase transformation to Cu6As4S9 is achieved along with the formation of micron-sized dense grains appropriate for device applications. The films display a bandgap of ~1.2 eV, significant photocurrent generation under simulated AM1.5 illumination, and carrier lifetimes nearing 1 ns, demonstrating the promise of sinnerite for use in photovoltaic applications.

Type
Research Letters
Information
MRS Communications , Volume 10 , Issue 1 , March 2020 , pp. 188 - 193
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Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2020

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