Effects of europium substitution for In on structure and photoelectric properties of CuIn{sub 1−x}Eu{sub x}Te{sub 2}

Journal Article · Fri Jan 15 04:00:00 EST 2016 · Journal of Solid State Chemistry

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JSSC.2015.10.031· OSTI ID:22577734

Nie, Xiaomeng; Guo, Yongquan

The structures and optical and electric properties of europium doped CuIn{sub 1−x}Eu{sub x}Te{sub 2} have been studied systematically using powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive spectrum (EDS), ultraviolet and visible spectrophotometer (UV–vis), and standard four-probe method. The studies reveal that the minor europium doping into CuIn{sub 1−x}Eu{sub x}Te{sub 2} could still stabilize the chalcopyrite structure in a solid solution of x=0.1. The lattice parameters are going up with increasing the content of europium in CuIn{sub 1−x}Eu{sub x}Te{sub 2} due to the size effect at In site. The structural refinement confirms that Eu partly substitutes for In and occupies the 4b crystal position. SEM morphologies show that the europium doping into CuIn{sub 1−x}Eu{sub x}Te{sub 2} can fine the grains from the largely agglomerated state to the uniformly separated state. The electrical resistivities of single phase CuIn{sub 1−x}Eu{sub x}Te{sub 2} follow a mixture model of hopping conductivity and variable range hopping conductivity. The absorption band-gaps of CuIn{sub 1−x}Eu{sub x}Te{sub 2} at room temperature tend to increase with increasing Eu content. CuIn{sub 1−x}Eu{sub x}Te{sub 2} might be a good candidate for photovoltaic cell. - Graphical abstract: CuIn{sub 0.9}Eu{sub 0.1}Te{sub 2} follows a mixture of hopping conductivity and variable range hopping conductivity mechanism. - Highlights: • Novel europium doped CuIn{sub 1−x}Eu{sub x}Te{sub 2}. • Potential application for devices and solar cells. • A mixture of hopping and variable range hopping conductivity mechanism.

• OSTI ID: 22577734
• Journal Information: Journal of Solid State Chemistry, Journal Name: Journal of Solid State Chemistry Vol. 233; ISSN 0022-4596; ISSN JSSCBI
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
ABSORPTION
CHALCOPYRITE
CRYSTALS
DOPED MATERIALS
ELECTRIC CONDUCTIVITY
ELECTRON SCANNING
EUROPIUM
LATTICE PARAMETERS
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
POWDERS
SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
SOLAR CELLS
SOLID SOLUTIONS
SOLIDS
SPECTRA
SPECTROPHOTOMETERS
ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION
X RADIATION
X-RAY DIFFRACTION