Structure and Optical Properties of LixAg1-xGaSe2 and LixAg1-xInSe2

Complete substitution of Li atoms for Ag atoms in AgGaSe2 and AgInSe2 was achieved, resulting in the solid solutions LixAg1-xGaSe2 and LixAg1-xInSe2. The detailed crystal structures were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and solid-state Li-7 nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, which confirm that Li atoms occupy unique sites and disorder only with Ag atoms. The tetragonal CuFeS2-type structure (space group I (4) over bar 2d) was retained within the entirety of the Ga-containing solid solution LixAg1-xGaSe2, which is noteworthy because the end-member LiGaSe2 normally adopts the orthorhombic beta-NaFeO2-type structure (space group Pna2(1)). These structures are closely related, being superstructures of the cubic sphalerite and hexagonal wurtzite prototypes adopted by diamond-like semiconductors. For the In-containing solid solution LixAg1-xInSe2, the structure transforms from the tetragonal to orthorhombic forms as the Li content increases past x = 0.50. The optical band gaps increase gradually with higher Li content, from 1.8 to 3.4 eV in LixAg1-xGaSe2 and from 1.2 to 2.5 eV in LixAg1-xInSe2, enabling control to desired values, while the second harmonic generation responses become stronger or are similar to those of benchmark infrared nonlinear optical materials such as AgGaS2. All members of these solid solutions remain congruently melting at accessible temperatures between 800 and 900 degrees C. Electronic structure calculations support the linear trends seen in the optical band gaps and confirm the mostly ionic character present in Li-Se bonds, in contrast to the more covalent character in Ga-Se or In-Se bonds.