Synthesis, structures and electroluminescence properties of CdS:In/Si nanoheterostructure array

An In-doped CdS/Si nanoheterojunction (CdS:In/Si-NPA) is prepared by depositing an In-doped CdS thin film onto a Si nanoporous pillar array (Si-NPA) via a successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction method. Based on the measured J–V characteristic curve, the nanoheterojunction exhibits a good rectifying behavior with a low forward turn-on voltage (2.2 V), a small leakage current density (0.5 mA/cm2 at − 3 V) and a high reverse breakdown voltage (> 8 V). The electroluminescence (EL) measurements reveal that a broadband emerges between 400 and 700 nm, and this band is confirmed as a white light emission based on the value of the chromaticity coordinate. The EL properties, including the CIE chromaticity coordinates, Colour Rendering Index and correlated color temperature, can be tuned by the applied voltage. The generation mechanism of the EL can be well interpreted depending on the energy band structure of CdS:In/Si-NPA. The green band should be attributed to the band-edge emission of CdS and the yellow emission may be related to Cd interstitial. These results highlight the potential of CdS:In/Si-NPA as a light source for future white light emitting devices.