In medical imaging, nuclear safety, intelligence, and security applications, there is a high demand for room-temperature radiation detectors. A desirable radiation detection material must exhibit high sensitivity to radiation, high density, and a suitable band gap. Silver antimony sulfide (AgSbS₂) is an emerging ternary semiconductor material with potential applications in photovoltaics, optoelectronics, and radiation detection. It is a non-toxic and environmentally friendly material with a band gap (Eg) of 1.7 eV, a large absorption coefficient (α) of 10⁵ cm⁻¹, and an electrical resistivity of 0.71 MΩ·cm.
From a green chemistry perspective, AgSbS₂ aligns with the principles of less hazardous chemical syntheses and inherently safer materials due to its non-toxic nature and avoidance of heavy metals like Cd, Pb, and Hg. Furthermore, to increase the sustainability of this work, optimization of the polycrystalline and single crystal growth would lead to improve the atom economy.
In this study, bulk polycrystalline AgSbS₂ was synthesized by melting silver, antimony, and sulfur in a stoichiometric ratio at 850°C. Single crystals were grown using a modified vertical Bridgman method. The phase structure was verified through powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), confirming the pure phase of AgSbS₂. Polished single crystals were fabricated into devices and evaluated for current-voltage characteristics and pulse height measurements, demonstrating their potential as a sustainable alternative for radiation detection applications.