Princeton University

Nima Alidoust

Emily Ann Carter

Martina Lessio

In one aspect, metal oxide compositions having electronic structure of multiple band gaps are described. In some embodiments, a metal oxide composition comprises a (Co,Ni)O alloy having electronic structure including multiple band gaps. The (Co,Ni)O alloy can include a first band gap and a second band gap, the first band gap separating valence and conduction bands of the electronic structure.

Multiple band gap Co-Ni oxide compositions and applications thereof

Disclosed herein is the formation of p-type transparent conducting oxides (TCO) having a structure of MgNiO or ZnNiO. These structures disrupt the two-dimensional confinement of individual holes (the dominant charge carrier transport mechanism in pure NiO) creating three-dimensional hole transport by providing pathways for hole transfer in directions that are unfavorable in pure NiO. Forming these structures preserves NiO's transparency to visible light since the band gaps do not deviate significantly from that of pure NiO. Furthermore, forming MgNiO or ZnNiO does not lead to hole trapping on O ions adjacent to Zn and Mg ions. The formation of these alloys will lead to creation of three-dimensional hole transport and improve NiO's conductivity for use as p-type TCO, without adversely affecting the favorable properties of pure NiO.

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Princeton, NJ, United States of America

Nima Alidoust