Robust, Transparent Hybrid Thin Films of Phase-Change Material Sb₂S₃ Prepared by Electrophoretic Deposition

Abstract

Thin films of polyethylenimine-stabilized Sb2S3 are prepared via electrophoretic deposition (EPD), showing strong adhesion between the deposited layers and the underlying substrate, with the films being crystallized via annealing. For amorphous films, thicknesses can be freely tuned from 0.2 to 1 μm, shrinking to 0.1–0.5 μm when crystallized, while retaining a crack- and defect-free surface, thus not impacting their good stability and maintaining their optical properties. Through UV–vis spectroscopy and subsequent modeling of the obtained spectra, it was concluded that the materials after annealing showed a reduced band gap and a demonstrably increased refractive index (n) and carrier concentration. The use of EPD for this material shows the viability of rapidly creating stable thin films of phase-change materials.