Structural, optical and electrical properties of low temperature grown undoped and (Al, Ga) co-doped ZnO thin films by spray pyrolysis

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

31 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Aluminum and gallium co-doped ZnO (AGZO) thin films were grown by simple, flexible and cost-effective spray pyrolysis method on glass substrates at a temperature of 230 °C. Effects of equal co-doping with aluminum (Al) and gallium (Ga) on structural, optical and electrical properties were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV–vis–NIR spectrophotometry and Current–Voltage (I–V) measurements, respectively. XRD patterns showed a successful growth with high quality polycrystalline films on glass substrates. The predominant orientation of the films is (002) at dopant concentrations ≤2 at% and (101) at higher dopant concentrations. Incorporation of Al and Ga to the ZnO crystal structure decreased the crystallite size and increased residual stress of the thin films. All films were highly transparent in the visible region with average transmittance of 80%. Increasing doping concentrations increased the optical band gap, from 3.12 to 3.30 eV. A blue shift of the optical band gap was observed from 400 nm to 380 nm with increase in equal co-doping. Co-doping improved the electrical conductivity of ZnO thin films. It has been found from the electrical measurements that films with dopant concentration of 2 at% have lowest resistivity of 1.621×10−4 Ω cm.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)14581-14586
Number of pages6
JournalCeramics International
Volume42
Issue number13
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Oct 2016

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Ceramics and Composites
  • Process Chemistry and Technology
  • Surfaces, Coatings and Films
  • Materials Chemistry

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Structural, optical and electrical properties of low temperature grown undoped and (Al, Ga) co-doped ZnO thin films by spray pyrolysis'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this