Dichloro-tin (IV) hexadeca-fluoro-phthalocyanine (F₁₆PcSnCl₂) thin film on porous silicon layers by ultrasonic spray pyrolysis, for possible application in optoelectronics devices

Abstract

Phthalocyanines represent a significant class of organic semiconductors that have garnered attention for their potential applications in conducting polymers and organic electronics. The unique structural characteristics of phthalocyanines, coupled with the intriguing chemical behavior and variations in bandgap associated with different substitution sites, offer exciting prospects for designing novel application devices. In this study, we have successfully fabricated a heterostructure incorporating dichloro tin (IV) hexa deca fluoro phthalocyanine (F16PcSnCl2) on both porous silicon (PS) and crystalline silicon (c-Si). The PS substrate was prepared using metal-assisted chemical etching. To explore the optoelectronic applications, we thoroughly characterized the optical, electrical, and morphological properties of the heterostructure. F16PcSnCl2 exhibits the lowest reflectance within the visible light spectrum, making it highly advantageous for photosensitive applications that necessitate efficient light absorption, diffusion, or scattering. The morphological analysis of the F16PcSnCl2 film reveals the presence of nanosphere-type structures uniformly distributed on both PS and c-Si substrates. The absorbance spectrum exhibits three distinct bands, which serve as typical indicators of the F16PcSnCl2 complex. Several hybrid heterostructures were fabricated for electrical characterization, displaying rectifying ohmic behavior and demonstrating a photocurrent effect in the I-V curves. Notably, when the heterostructures were polarized at 1 V, a pronounced response to pulses of white light was observed in the current–time curves. Overall, the integration of organic and inorganic materials in heterostructures holds great promise for innovative applications in optoelectronics.