Roles of Cobalt Doping on Structural and Optical of ZnO Thin Films by Ultrasonic Spray Pyrolysis

Abstract

Here we report a systematic study of structural, optical, and magnetic measurements of Zn1-xCoxO (x = 0–0.22 at.%) by Ultrasound pyrolysis spray technique. The hexagonal wurtzite structure of our films is confirmed by X-ray diffraction with an average crystallite size estimated in the range of 18–30 nm. For the optical proprieties, using the Levenberg–Marquardt least squares rule, the experimental transmission measurements were perfectly adapted to the transmission data calculated by a combination of the Wemple-DiDomenico model, the absorption coefficient of an electronic transition and the Tauc-Urbach model. The concentration of the NCo absorption centers and the oscillator intensity f of the d-d transition of Co2+ ions are determined by the Smakula method. The presence of high concentrations of localized states in the thin films is responsible for the reduction in the width of optical bandgap.