Issue 18, 2016

Design of nitride semiconductors for solar energy conversion

Abstract

Nitride semiconductors are a promising class of materials for solar energy conversion applications, such as photovoltaic and photoelectrochemical cells. Nitrides can have better solar absorption and electrical transport properties than the more widely studied oxides, as well as the potential for better scalability than other pnictides or chalcogenides. In addition, nitrides are also relatively unexplored compared to other chemistries, so they provide a great opportunity for new materials discovery. This paper reviews the recent advances in the design of novel semiconducting nitrides for solar energy conversion technologies. Both binary and multinary nitrides are discussed, with a range of metal chemistries (Cu3N, ZnSnN2, Sn3N4, etc.) and crystal structures (delafossite, perovskite, spinel, etc.), including a brief overview of wurtzite III-N materials and devices. The current scientific challenges and promising future directions in the field are also highlighted.

Graphical abstract: Design of nitride semiconductors for solar energy conversion

Article information

Article type
Review Article
Submitted
21 ⵏⵓⵡ 2015
Accepted
29 ⴷⵓⵊ 2015
First published
04 ⵉⵏⵏ 2016

J. Mater. Chem. A, 2016,4, 6742-6754

Author version available

Design of nitride semiconductors for solar energy conversion

A. Zakutayev, J. Mater. Chem. A, 2016, 4, 6742 DOI: 10.1039/C5TA09446A

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