Photoelectric characteristics of nanostructured hydrochemically deposited films of the Pb0.975Sn0.025Se substitutional solid solution

Abstract

The photoelectric characteristics of Pb 0. 975Sn 0. 025Se solid solution films prepared by the hydrochemical codeposition of PbSe and SnSe with the subsequent heat treatment in air at 573-700 K have been investigated. The thermal and optical band gaps, the temperature coefficient of the optical band gap, the dark resistance, the volt-watt sensitivity, and the range of spectral sensitivity have been determined in the temperature range of 220-300 K. It has been found that, after heat treatment below 573 K, the films of the Pb 0. 975Sn 0. 025Se solid solutions possess metallic conductivity, while being heat treated at elevated temperatures, they become semiconductors with p-type conductivity. The composition of the solid solution is independent of the heat treatment temperature; it is formed during deposition. © 2012 Pleiades Publishing, Ltd.