Subsequent-generation LEDs and photo voltaic cells powered by new spinel-type sulfide semiconductor
by Riko Seibo
Tokyo, Japan (SPX) Oct 06, 2025
A brand new spinel-type sulfide semiconductor able to emitting mild from violet to orange at room temperature might pave the way in which for superior LEDs and photo voltaic cells, in keeping with researchers from the Institute of Science Tokyo. The compound, (Zn,Mg)Sc2S4, may be chemically tuned to exhibit both n-type or p-type conduction, enabling pn homojunction gadgets that combine mild emission and absorption features in a single materials.
The analysis group, led by Professor Hidenori Hiramatsu and Affiliate Professor Kota Hanzawa from Science Tokyo’s Supplies and Constructions Laboratory, together with Distinguished Professor Hideo Hosono of the MDX Analysis Middle for Component Technique, reported the invention within the Journal of the American Chemical Society on September 17, 2025.
LEDs, photo voltaic cells, and semiconductor lasers depend on pn junctions, the place electrons and holes both recombine to emit mild or separate to generate present. The group’s new materials demonstrates robust potential for each purposes, overcoming effectivity gaps which have restricted present gadgets primarily based on gallium arsenide and silicon.
“Our semiconductor materials is appropriate for each inexperienced emission and photovoltaic purposes,” mentioned Hiramatsu, addressing the persistent “inexperienced hole” drawback that has challenged LED know-how for many years.
The compound’s spinel construction (AB2S4) contributes to its distinctive optoelectronic conduct: the A-site cations like zinc present an s-orbital-derived conduction band minimal, whereas the B-site scandium cations with anisotropic d0 orbitals stabilize the direct bandgap by suppressing competing valence states.
Undoped ZnSc2S4 emits a vibrant orange glow, whereas magnesium substitution shifts emission towards inexperienced and blue. Substituting titanium for scandium or decreasing zinc content material permits managed switching between n-type and p-type conduction, with conductivity spanning 9 orders of magnitude – from insulating (2.5 + 10-11 S/cm) to semiconducting (1.8 + 10-2 S/cm).
“The sulfide semiconductor recognized on this examine meets the necessities for each extremely environment friendly mild absorbers in photo voltaic cells and inexperienced mild emitters in LEDs, making it a powerful candidate for next-generation optoelectronic gadgets,” Hiramatsu added.
Analysis Report:d0 Cation-Based Spinel-Type Sulfide Semiconductors with Color-Tunable Direct-Gap and Ambipolar Dopability
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Institute of Science Tokyo
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