Tin tellurium colloidal synthesis and spray pyrolysis thin films deposition: the ammonium hydroxide influence

Abstract

Abstract In this research a colloidal alternative route to synthesize SnTe , and the influence of ammonium hydroxide into the Sn and Te phase formation at atmospheric conditions is reported. The obtained solutions at different ammonium concentration were analyzed through x-ray Diffraction to determine the structure and the SnTe phase. Meanwhile, Raman spectroscopy was used to analyze and discuss the presence of possible byproducts, those results were complemented by EDX analysis, as well as the morphology was analyzed by HRSEM. Albeit the resultant SnTe colloids were deposited as thin films by spray pyrolysis at 300 °C, following two deposit variations, the first one was one step deposition (continuous) and the second as an intermittent (I) where several layers were deposited. The resultant thin films were analyzed through HRSEM, XRD and profilometry correlating the morphology, and structural properties to those obtained from the colloids.