Detection of ZnS phases in CZTS thin-films by EXAFS

Copper zinc tin sulfide (CZTS) is a promising Earthabundant thin-film solar cell material; it has an appropriate band gap of ~1.45 eV and a high absorption coefficient. The most efficient CZTS cells tend to be slightly Zn-rich and Cu-poor. However, growing Zn-rich CZTS films can sometimes result in phase decomposition of CZTS into ZnS and Cu2SnS3, which is generally deleterious to solar cell performance. Cubic ZnS is difficult to detect by XRD, due to a similar diffraction pattern. We hypothesize that synchrotron-based extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS), which is sensitive to local chemical environment, may be able to determine the quantity of ZnS phase in CZTS films by detecting differences in the second-nearest neighbor shell of the Zn atoms. Films of varying stoichiometries, from Zn-rich to Cu-rich (Zn-poor) were examined using the EXAFS technique. Differences in the spectra as a function of Cu/Zn ratio are detected. Linear combination analysis suggests increasing ZnS signal as the CZTS films become more Zn-rich. We demonstrate that the sensitive technique of EXAFS could be used to quantify the amount of ZnS present and provide a guide to crystal growth of highly phase pure films.

A study of the white electroluminescence in ZnS:Cu,Pr,Cl phosphors

The method of preparation of ZnS phosphors doped with praseodymium and copper is given. The electroluminescence (EL) spectrum of ZnS:Pr,Cl has two broad bands at 470 and 570 nm. ZnS:Cu,Pr,Cl gives white emission with spectral peaks at 470, 520, 570 and 640 nm. The EL spectra of both types of phosphor exhibit a conspicuous colour shift as the frequency of the excitation voltage is varied. Detailed investigations show that the relative intensities of spectral peaks are strongly dependent on the frequency of the excitation voltage. The colour shift is explained on the basis of the Schon-Klasens model.

Low-voltage driven ZnS:Mn MIS and MISIM thin film electroluminescent devices with Eu2O3 insulator layer

AC thin film electroluminescent devices of MIS and MISIM have been fabricated with a novel dielectric layer of Eu2O3 as an insulator. The threshold voltage for light emission is found to depend strongly on the frequency of excitation source in these devices. These devices are fabricated with an active layer of ZnS:Mn and a novel dielectric layer of Eu2O3 as an insulator. The observed frequency dependence of brightness-voltage characteristics has been explained on the basis of the loss characteristic of the insulator layer. Changes in the threshold voltage and brightness with variation in emitting or insulating film thickness have been investigated in metal-insulator-semiconductor (MIS) structures. It has been found that the decrease in brightness occurring with decreasing ZnS layer thickness can be compensated by an increase in brightness obtained by reducing the insulator thickness. The optimal condition for low threshold voltage and higher stability has been shown to occur when the active layer to insulator thickness ratio lies between one and two.

Effect of chlorine concentration on the spectral characteristics of electroluminescence in ZnS: Cu: Cl phosphor

ZnS: Cu: Cl phosphor prepared under a vacuum firing process is found to give blue electroluminescence with emission peak at 460 nm which remams unaltered with the frequency of the excitation voltage. Addition of excess chlorine in the phosphor gives blue, green and red emission at 460, 520 and 640 run. The intensity of the blue band decreases and It fmally disappears as chlorine concentration is increased. A scheme involving three energy levels attributed to Cu2+, Cu+ and Cl- centres in Zns explains the experimental results completely.

HRTEM assessment of Wurtzite and Zinc-Blende phases in GaAs nanowires for optoelectronic devices

Màster en Nanociència i Nanotecnologia. Curs 2007-2008. Directors: Francesca Peiró i Martínez and Jordi Arbiol i Cobos

Investigations on novel polymer nano composites and bio-compatible manganese doped ZnS nanocrystals for photonic and bio-imaging applications

Fluorescence is a powerful tool in biological research, the relevance of which relies greatly on the availability of sensitive and selective fluorescent probes. Nanometer sized fluorescent semiconductor materials have attracted considerable attention in recent years due to the high luminescence intensity, low photobleaching, large Stokes’ shift and high photochemical stability. The optical and spectroscopic features of nanoparticles make them very convincing alternatives to traditional fluorophores in a range of applications. Efficient surface capping agents make these nanocrystals bio-compatible. They can provide a novel platform on which many biomolecules such as DNA, RNA and proteins can be covalently linked. In the second phase of the present work, bio-compatible, fluorescent, manganese doped ZnS (ZnS:Mn) nanocrystals suitable for bioimaging applications have been developed and their cytocompatibility has been assessed. Functionalization of ZnS:Mn nanocrystals by safe materials results in considerable reduction of toxicity and allows conjugation with specific biomolecules. The highly fluorescent, bio-compatible and water- dispersible ZnS:Mn nanocrystals are found to be ideal fluorescent probes for biological labeling

Boosted UV emission at 349 nm from mesoporous ZnS

Relatively oxygen-free mesoporous cubic ZnS particles were synthesised via a facile solvo-hydrothermal route using a water–acetonitrile combination. Boosted UV emission at 349 nm is observed from the ZnS prepared by the solvo-hydrothermal route. The increased intensity of this UV emission is attributed to activation of whispering gallery modes of almost elliptical microstructures made of porous nanostructures.

Optical properties of polydisperse submicrometer aggregates of sulfur-containing zinc oxide consisting of spherical nanocrystallites

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Strutural and optical approach of CdS@ZnS core-shell system

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Propriedades ópticas de materiais híbridos de sílica dopados com nanocristais de CdSe/ZnS

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Influence of solvent on the morphology and photocatalytic properties of ZnS decorated CeO2 nanoparticles

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

High fluorescence quantum efficiency of CdSe/ZnS quantum dots embedded in GPTS/TEOS-derived organic/silica hybrid colloids

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Experimental and theoretical studies of photoluminescence in Zns obtained by microwave-assisted solvothermal method

A shift of the photoluminescence (PL) emission was observed in ZnS prepared by microwave assisted solvothermal method with the increase of the time in microwave. In this work we reported a study of the optical behavior linking with the structural disorder according to XRD and FEG-TEM results. The reduction of intrinsic defects in the lattice is responsible for the decrease of electronic levels in the band gap changing the PL profile. This effect was confirmed by electronic structure calculations.

Structural and optical properties of ZnS/MgNb2O6 heterostructures

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)