Preparation, Chemical Composition, and Optical Properties of (β-Ga₂O₃ Composite Thin Films)/(GaS_xSe_1-x Lamellar Solid...

GaS_xSe_1-x solid solutions are layered semiconductors with a band gap between 2.0 and 2.6 eV. Their single crystals are formed by planar packings of S/Se-Ga-Ga-S/Se type, with weak polarization bonds between them, which allows obtaining, by splitting, plan-parallel lamellae with atomically smooth surfaces. By heat treatment in a normal or water vapor-enriched atmosphere, their plates are covered with a layer consisting of β-Ga₂O₃ nanowires/nanoribbons. In this work, the elemental and chemical composition, surface morphology, as well as optical, photoluminescent, and photoelectric properties of β-Ga₂O₃ layer formed on GaS_xSe_1-x (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) solid solutions (as substrate) are studied. The correlation is made between the composition (x) of the primary material, technological preparation conditions of the oxide-semiconducting layer, and the optical, photoelectric, and photoluminescent properties of β-Ga₂O₃ (nanosized layers)/GaS_xSe_1-x structures. From the analysis of the fundamental absorption edge, photoluminescence, and photoconductivity, the character of the optical transitions and the optical band gap in the range of 4.5-4.8 eV were determined, as well as the mechanisms behind blue-green photoluminescence and photoconductivity in the fundamental absorption band region. The photoluminescence bands in the blue-green region are characteristic of β-Ga₂O₃ nanowires/nanolamellae structures. The photoconductivity of β-Ga₂O₃ structures on GaS_xSe_1-x solid solution substrate is determined by their strong fundamental absorption. As synthesized structures hold promise for potential applications in UV receivers, UV-C sources, gas sensors, as well as photocatalytic decomposition of water and organic pollutants.