Enhanced physical characteristics of ZnO thin films through Sr and Mg co-doping. (7th June 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Battal, Wafaa; Rouchdi, Mustapha; Ouafi, Mouad; Shaili, Hamza; Hassanain, Najem; Mzerd, Ahmed
• Is Part Of: Materials research innovations. Volume 26:Number 4(2022)
• Page Start: 240
• Page End: 248
• Publication Date: 2022-06-07
• Subjects: ZnO -- SZO -- SMZO -- thin films -- ultrasonic spray -- band gap -- hall effect; Materials -- Research -- Periodicals; Matériaux -- Recherche -- Périodiques; 620.1105
• DOI: 10.1080/14328917.2021.1949894
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1432-8917

Abstract

ABSTRACT: In this study, undoped ZnO, (Sr, Mg) co-doped ZnO (SMZO) thin films were synthetised on heated glass substrates at a temperature of 250°C by using ultrasonic spray technique. Doping strontium (Sr) and magnesium (Mg) into zinc oxide (ZnO) offers an important way to modify various properties. X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirmed that the films exhibited the hexagonal wurtzite structure of ZnO with a favored orientation along (002) plane . Scanning electron microscope (SEM) showed a strong change in the surface morphology while Energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDX) and mapping confirmed the purity of the films . UV-Visible studies demonstrated that the optical transmittance was improved to an average value above 94% and that Mg-doping induces an increase of the band gap indicating high optical quality of the films. From the fabricated films, SMZO3 is the most appropriate for optoelectronic applications where a low resistivity and high figure of merit were obtained.