Computational prediction and experimental realisation of earth abundant transparent conducting oxide Ga-doped ZnSb2O6

Abstract

Transparent conducting oxides have become ubiquitous in modern opto-electronics. However, the number of oxides that are transparent to visible light and have the metallic-like conductivity necessary for applications is limited to a handful of systems that have been known for the past forty years. In this work, we use hybrid density functional theory and defect chemistry analysis to demonstrate that tri-rutile zinc antimonate, ZnSb2O6, is an ideal transparent conducting oxide, and identify gallium as the optimal dopant to yield high conductivity and transparency. To validate our computational predictions, we have synthesised both powder samples and single crystals of Ga-doped ZnSb2O6 which conclusively show behaviour consistent with a degenerate transparent conducting oxide. This study demonstrates the possibility of a family of Sb(V) containing oxides for transparent conducting oxide and power electronics applications.