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Anion substitution in zinc chalcogenides
Karl Jug1, Viatcheslav A Tikhomirov
1Theoretische Chemie, Universität Hannover, Am Kleinen Felde 30, 30167 Hannover, Germany. jugthc@mbox.theochem.univ-hannover.de
Anion substitution in zinc chalcogenides is easier for oxygen replaced by sulfur than vice versa. This impacts crystal structure and energy, aligning with experimental findings.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Computational Chemistry
- Solid State Physics
Background:
- Zinc chalcogenides (e.g., ZnO, ZnS) are important semiconductors.
- Understanding anion substitution is crucial for tuning material properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate anion substitution effects on zinc chalcogenide structure and energy.
- Model substitution energetics and interactions using computational methods.
Main Methods:
- Employed the semiempirical molecular orbital method MSINDO.
- Utilized cyclic clusters of varying sizes as model systems.
- Tested convergence of bulk properties with cluster size.
Main Results:
- Determined energetics of oxygen-sulfur substitution in ZnO and ZnS.
- Found O -> S substitution in ZnO is energetically favored over S -> O in ZnS.
- Observed energy oscillations due to doping atom interactions, influenced by ionic radii and band gap.
Conclusions:
- Computational results for anion substitution energetics agree with experimental observations.
- Anion size differences influence interaction energies and band gap modifications in doped zinc chalcogenides.
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