Link between graphene features and the resulting functionality of quasi-van der Waals Zn₃P₂.

ABSTRACT: Zn₃P₂, made from earth-abundant elements, is a promising candidate for thin-film solar cells but faces limitations due to difficulties in achieving n-type doping and its large lattice mismatch with commercial substrates and a high thermal expansion coefficient, causing defects and cracks. Graphene substrates can address these challenges thanks to its weak van der Waals interactions with Zn₃P₂ allowing for mechanical transfer of the thin film and strain-free growth. This study compares five graphene substrates for quasi-van der Waals epitaxial (q-vdWe) growth of polycrystalline Zn₃P₂ thin films using molecular beam epitaxy. Surface features like steps and wrinkles on graphene were identified as main nucleation sites for Zn

SUBMITTER: Hagger T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12621204 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature