B-N Codoped p Type ZnO Thin Films for Optoelectronic Applications

Monodoping ZnO with N altered the conductivity type but the resistivity is too high making it practically impossible to be useful in optoelectronic applications. B-N codoping increased the carrier concentration and obtained comparatively low resistivity because codoping enhanced the acceptor incorporation by forming acceptor-donor-acceptor complex in the band gap.

XRD analysis revealed the dependence of dopant incorporation on the texture and microstructure of the films. XPS analysis confirmed the enhancement of N incorporation with codoping. Energy gap value increased for codoped films due to the Burstein-Moss effect, arising from the increase in carrier concentration.