Synthesis and Characterization of Semiconducting Sinnerite (Cu6As4S9) Thin Films

By Scott Andrew McClary, Rakesh Agrawal

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DOI

10.7277/DYV5-WY28

Category

Engineering - Materials

Principle Investigator (PI)

Rakesh Agrawal

Published on

Aug 01, 2020

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, we 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 band gap 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.

Cite this work

  • Scott Andrew McClary; Rakesh Agrawal (2020), "Synthesis and Characterization of Semiconducting Sinnerite (Cu6As4S9) Thin Films," https://datacenterhub.org/deedsdv/publications/view/179.

Keywords

sinnerite, thin films, photovoltaic materials