Synthesis and characterization of nanostructured bismuth selenide thin films

Abstract

Nanostructured bismuth selenide thin films have been successfully fabricated on a silicon substrate at low temperature by rational design of the precursor solution. Bi₂Se₃ thin films were constructed of coalesced lamella in the thickness of 50–80 nm. The nucleation and growth process of Bi₂Se₃ thin films, as well as the influence of solution chemistry on the film structure were investigated in detail. As one of the most promising thermoelectric materials, the thermoelectric properties of the prepared Bi₂Se₃ thin films were also investigated. The power factor increased with increasing carrier mobility, coming from the enlarged crystallites and enhanced coalesced structure, and reached 1 μW cm⁻¹ K⁻¹.