Optical properties of zinc nitride formed by molten salt electrochemical process

Abstract We formed a Zn3N2 film by potentiostatic electrolysis of a zinc electrode at 1.6 V (vs. Li+/Li) in a LiCl–KCl–Li3N melt at 673 K. From the X-ray diffraction analysis, the obtained film was found to be a single phase of Zn3N2. From the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis, in the outer surface of the film, small amounts of Zn(OH)2 and ZnO were observed, which are believed to form after electrolysis. As a result of reflectance measurement in the ultraviolet, visible and near infrared region, it was clarified that Zn3N2 has a direct band gap of 1.01 eV.