ZnO:SiC Nanocomposites for Optoelectronic Devices: Expanding Opportunities Beyond Photovoltaics

Incorporating silicon carbide (SiC), known for its superior thermal conductivity and robustness against oxidation and chemical attack, into ZnO to create ZnO:SiC nanocomposites may offer a promising path forward. ZnO has been studied extensively in photovoltaics, but the potential applications of ZnO:SiC nanocomposites in wider optoelectronic platforms have been relatively little studied. This feature article reviews and describes the potential for ZnO:SiC nanocomposites in ultraviolet photodetectors, light-emitting diodes (LEDs), and transparent/high-power electronics. By relating inherent material properties to device requirements, we present how ZnO:SiC nanocomposites have considerable utility as a platform for next-generation optoelectronic technologies well beyond photovoltaics.