SnS (Herzenbergite)

Source: Mineralienatlas

Tin(II) Sulfide (SnS): A Comprehensive Overview

Crystal Structure and Forms

Tin(II) Sulfide (SnS) is a brown solid that is insoluble in water. In nature, it occurs as herzenbergite, which possesses an orthorhombic crystal structure. Additionally, SnS can exist in hexagonal (wurtzite) and cubic (Sphalerite) crystal forms, although these are less stable than herzenbergite at room temperature.

Applications in Photovoltaics

SnS is a p-type semiconducting material with a layered orthorhombic structure. It has a band gap of 1.0-1.5 eV, making it suitable for use as an absorption layer in n-type solar cells with a wide band gap. Various techniques for fabricating SnS thin films include vacuum evaporation, chemical bath deposition, and spray pyrolysis.

Basic Parameters at 300 K

– Crystal structure: Orthorhombic
– Group of symmetry: Pbnm
– Number of atoms in 1 cm3: 4.15*1026
– Unit cell volume: 192.6 Å3
– Debye temperature: 270 K
– Density: 5.08 g/cm3

Electrical and Optical Properties

SnS exhibits an energy gap ranging from 1.0-1.5 eV and intrinsic carrier concentration of 109 cm-3 at 300 K. The material has a refractive index of 3.52 and an absorption coefficient of 104 cm-1. It also demonstrates a Hall mobility of 90 cm2/Vs and an intrinsic resistivity of 13-20 Ω.

Thermal and Mechanical Properties

– Linear thermal expansion coefficient: α = 2.8*10-7 K-1 at 300K
– Heat capacity: C P = 45 J mol-1 K-1 at 300 K, C P = 29.3 J mol-1 K-1 at 80 K
– Bulk modulus: 36.6 GPa
– Hardness: 2 on Mohs scale

Research and Development

Studies have been conducted on the electrical properties, photosensitivity, and structural characteristics of SnS thin films prepared using various methods such as electrochemical deposition, spray pyrolysis, and chemical deposition. Investigations into the optical bandgap and conductivity of SnS films have provided valuable insights for potential applications in photovoltaics.

Conclusion

Tin(II) Sulfide (SnS) is a versatile material with promising properties for use in photovoltaic devices. Its unique crystal structure, electrical, optical, thermal, and mechanical characteristics make it a subject of ongoing research and development for sustainable energy applications. Further exploration of SnS properties and applications may lead to advancements in solar cell technology and renewable energy solutions.

Source: Mindat