Rectifying Characteristics and Semiconductor-Metal Transition Induced by Interfacial Potential in the Mn3CuN/n-Si Intermetallic Heterojunction.

The Mn3CuN/n-Si heterojunction device is first designed in the antiperovskite compound, and excellent rectifying characteristics are obtained. The rectification ratio (RR) reaches as large as 38.9 at 10 V, and the open-circuit voltage Voc of 1.13 V is observed under temperature of 410 K. The rectifying behaviors can be well described by the Shockley equation, indicating the existence of a Schottky diode. Simultaneously, a particular semiconductor-metal transition (SMT) behavior at 250 K is also observed in the Mn3CuN/n-Si heterojunction. The interfacial band bending induced inversion layer, which is clarified by the interfacial schematic band diagrams, is believed to be responsible for the SMT and rectifying effects. This study can develop a new class of materials for heterojunction, rectifying devices, and SMT behaviors.