Solar energy conversion properties and defect physics of ZnSiP2

Abstract

Group IV, II–VI, and III–V semiconductors are the most common materials used in optoelectronics because of their tetrahedral coordination. II–IV–V2 (e.g. ZnSiP2) has received less attention for optoelectronic devices than the ternary II–VI analogues such as I–III–VI2 (e.g. CuInSe2), which have been widely studied. 2–9 Many unary and binary semiconductors may be included into the lattice of II–IV–V2-chalcopyrite compounds, as shown in Fig. 1, which displays the wide variety of band gaps and lattice constants that can be found in II–IV–V2 chalcopyrite compounds. As a result, many of the II–IV–V2 compounds are especially suitable for large-scale applications such as photovoltaics since they are generated from very affordable and non-toxic elements (eg. Zn and Mg) (PV). 10–12 Wide range of frequencies There has been very little research on the II–IV–V2 materials, despite the potential for tandem PV, LEDs, photonic circuits, and lasers. 13–15 It has been a challenge to work in tandem PV.