Scalable solution processing of amorphous and crystalline chalcogenide films

Chalcogenide materials have attracted interest for diverse device applications, including thermoelectrics, phase-change memory and optoelectronics, and even solid-state batteries. Part of their appeal is solution processability, which offers a potentially inexpensive, scalable route to thin film fabrication. A number of solution-based methods have been explored with crystalline metal chalcogenides, but combining industrially practical solvents with high-throughput film deposition remains challenging. Similar issues are faced with amorphous chalcogenides, where decades of work has focused on the role of dissolution chemistry in processing high-quality films. Here, we outline recent progress in understanding dissolution and film formation in both systems. By combining wisdom from crystalline and amorphous chalcogenides, we aim to highlight fundamentals underlying scalable solution processing and map areas for future study.