Combinatorial Synthesis of BaCu2Se2 Thin Films: Effect of Composition on Crystal Structure and Optoelectronic Properties

The BaCu2Se2 semiconductor compound with earth-abundant elements is currently studied for application in thermoelectrics. The properties of this emerging material, however, are still not well established, while being mostly investigated on powders or pelletized powders. In this work, BaCu2Se2 thin films are prepared, and the chemical space of Ba-rich and Cu-rich compositions is explored. Ba-Cu-Se thin film combinatorial libraries with lateral compositional gradients with [Cu]/([Ba]+[Cu]) (CBC) atomic ratios between 0.15 and 0.98 are synthesized on areas of 12 × 50 mm2. Using XRF and XRD analysis, composition-resolved phase fractions are determined, which identify the orthorhombic α-BaCu2Se2 as the main phase for CBC between 0.62 and 0.82. Optical measurements reveal for α-BaCu2Se2 a direct bandgap of 1.89 eV and a high absorption coefficient ∼105 cm−1. Surface photovoltage and Seebeck coefficient measurements show p-type conductivity of the films irrespective of composition. Combined Kelvin probe, photoelectron yield, and optical-pump terahertz-probe spectroscopies demonstrate tunability of charge carrier concentrations over several orders of magnitude. The absolute photoluminescence hyperspectral imaging reveals a bright luminescence centered at 1.91 eV and an implied open-circuit voltage of 1.3 eV. Ba-rich conditions are found to be appropriate for the synthesis of films for photovoltaics, while Cu-rich conditions are suitable for the preparation of this material for thermoelectrics.