The effect of Sn-doping on optical, electrical and morphological properties of spray-pyrolysed ZnO films

Abstract

The present work has investigated the effects of tin doping on morphological and optical-electrical properties of zinc oxide films produced by spray-pyrolysis technique. The films exhibited droplet impact marks along the surface. Top-view micrographs disclosed black clusters of non-decomposed salts after tin doing. These morphological aspects have not compromised optical performance although they may have contributed to the rise in electrical resistivity due to charge scattering on the surface. Electrical conductivity was lowered as tin-doping concentration increased. Tin ions occupied interstitial sites in the host matrix and acted as conventional defects. The film transmittance at 550 nm was not significantly affected by tin doping, yet a slight loss in transparency was observed after 1 at. % Sn doping. Optical bandgap was reduced from 3.25 to 3.16 eV due to deep states when doping with 1 at. % Sn. The optical bandgap widened to 3.23 eV with incorporation of 2 at. % Sn. This behaviour is attributed to the Burstein-Moss effect.