Exploring the optical properties of lead zinc sulfide photoanodes for optoelectronics

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Exploring the optical properties of lead zinc sulfide photoanodes for optoelectronics Ali Badawi1   · Alia Hendi Al Otaibi1,2 · Ateyyah M. Al‑Baradi1 · Abdulraheem S. A. Almalki3 · Saud A. Algarni1 · A. A. Atta1,4 · Hend I. Alkhammash5 · N. Al‑Hosiny1 Received: 11 July 2020 / Accepted: 16 August 2020 © Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2020

Abstract In this study, the optical properties of alloyed lead zinc sulfide quantum dots ­(Pb0.8Zn0.2S QDs) photoanodes have been explored for optoelectronic applications. The alloyed QDs photoanodes were prepared by SILAR technique for different deposition cycles (0–8 times). Transmission electron microscope (TEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDS) were used to investigate the morphological and elemental measurements respectively. A UV–visible spectrophotometer was utilized to study the optical properties. The obtained energy band gap (Eg) values of the prepared photoanodes vary from 1.98 to 3.32 eV as the number of the deposition cycles is increased from 1 to 8 times. The best photovoltaic performance of the assembled QDs sensitized solar cells (QDSSCs) is achieved for the 6 times SILAR deposition cycles. This result is mainly attributed to the absorption enhancement and the harmony of the energetic alignment levels of the prepared QDSSC’s layers. The prepared alloyed photoanodes could be novel candidates in many optoelectronic applications. Keywords  Optical properties · Lead zinc sulfide · Energetic levels · Solar cells · Optoelectronic applications

1 Introduction During the last two decades, a global researches trend has been noticed towards solving intractable problems, or at least mitigate their negative effects on the life of human beings. These challenges cover various areas of life including living, health, entertainments, and environment. Scientists believe that this noble goal could be achieved by producing new novel materials that can be able to contribute effectively in this direction. Semiconducting materials are still standing * Ali Badawi [email protected] 1



Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Taif University, Taif, Saudi Arabia

2



Departments of Physics, College of Science and Humanities‑Dawadmi, Shaqra University, Shaqra, Saudi Arabia

3

Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Taif University, Taif, Saudi Arabia

4

Department of Physics, Faculty of Education, Ain Shams University, Roxy, Cairo, Egypt

5

Electrical Engineering, College of Engineering, Taif University, Taif, Saudi Arabia



in the foreground due to their unique and flexible characteristics. These characteristics involve the mechanical, electrical and optical properties [1–6]. Semiconductors possess tunable optical properties that can be controlled to have a striking effect in different fields. These fields include medical applications as those related to diagnosis, drugs’ delivery and treatment [7, 8]. While the optoelectronic ones comprise sensors, diodes, lasers, photovoltaics and others [9–11]. Tuning the optical properties of semico