Temperature dependent band gap in SnS₂_xSe(2-2x) (<i>x</i>=0.5) thin films

Abstract

Structural and optical properties of SnS2xSe(2-2x) thin films grown by magnetron sputtering method were investigated for composition of x = 0.5 (SnSSe) in the present study. X-ray diffraction, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy methods were used for structural characterization while temperature-dependent transmission measurements carried out at various temperatures in between 10 and 300 K were accomplished for optical investigations. X-ray diffraction pattern of studied composition presented peaks at positions which are between those of SnSe2 and SnS2. Transmittance spectra recorded at all applied temperatures were analyzed using well-known Tauc relation. Analyses revealed the direct band gap energy value of SnSSe thin films as 1.75 eV at room temperature. Change of band gap energy as a response to varying temperature were discussed in the study by utilizing Varshni relation. It was shown that variation of gap energy values was well-matched with the Varshni's empirical formula. Energy band gap at absolute zero and rate of change of band gap with temperature were found to be 1.783 eV and -2.1 x 10(-4) eV K-1, respectively.