Ab-Initio Study of Structural, Electronic and Optical Properties of ZnX (X = Te, S and O): Application to Photovoltaic Solar Cells

The purpose of this research is to investigate the structural, electronic, and optical properties of ZnX compounds, particularly those with X = Te, S, and O, which have direct bandgaps that make them optically active. To gain a better understanding of these compounds and their related properties, we conducted detailed calculations using density functional theory (DFT) and the CASTEP program, which uses the generalized gradient approximation (GGA) to estimate the cross-correlation function. Our results for lattice modulus, energy bandgap, and optical parameters are consistent with both experimental data and theoretical predictions. The energy bandgap for all compounds is relatively large due to an increase in s-states in the valence band. Our findings suggest that the optical transition between (O - S - Te) - p states in the highest valence band and (Zn - S - O) - s states in the lowest conduction band is shifted to the lower energy band. Therefore, ZnX compounds (X = Te, S and O) are a promising option for optoelectronic device applications, such as solar cell materials.