Structural, microstructural, and optical properties of ZnO thin films prepared by spray pyrolysis

Abstract

The thin films of zinc oxide were deposited by the ultrasonic spray technique on glass substrates. Our interest consists in the study of structural and microstructural properties. The X-ray diffraction analysis of the samples shows that the thin films crystallize in the hexagonal structure of the Wurtzite type. With a preferential orientation along the c-axis perpendicular to the substrate surface. The average size of the crystallites of the order of 49 nm. The microstructures/nanostructures of thin films are characterized by the presence of nano pedals. The chemical composition of the films was analyzed by EDS which revealed the formation of the ZnO phase. The synthesized layers showed a transmittance value of 90%. The optical band gap and the refractive index values are in good accordance with available studies in the literature