Optical and Transport Properties of SnZrCh$_{3}$ (Ch = S, Se)*

SnZrS$_{3}$ is a semiconductor that crystallizes in the NH$_{4}$CdCl$_{3}$ crystal structure. It is studied as a possible solar cell absorber. We report on the synthesis and transport properties of SnZrS$_{3}$ and isostructural SnZrSe$_{3}$. The optical band gaps are measured by diffuse reflectance, a gap of 1.5 eV is found for SnZrS$_{3}$. Seebeck measurements indicate that both SnZrS$_{3}$ and SnZrSe$_{3}$ are p-type semiconductors at room temperature. The measured resistivity for SnZrS$_{3}$ is 36 Mohm cm, and for SnZrSe$_{3}$ it is 1 Mohm cm.