Layer-by-Layer Nanoparticles ZnO Thin Films Prepared by Sol-Gel Method

Abstract

Nanoparticles ZnO thin films have been deposited using sol-gel spin coating technique. A 0.4M sol of ZnO had been prepared by dissolving zinc acetate dihydrate in monoethanolamine (MEA), and 2-methoxyethanol as a stabilizer. Thin films are then spin coated onto quartz substrate with rotation speed of 3000rpm. After each layer, the samples were heated at 150 oC and annealed at 550 oC; which are defined as layer-by-layer process. The aim of this paper is to study the effect of annealing time to the structural, electrical and optical properties of the films. XRD result shows highest peak observed from sample annealed for 1 hour at (102) and (002) orientation. Calculation shows that the film annealed for 1 hour gives lower resistivity at 92.29Ω.cm which is due to the oxygen adsorption and good crystalline quality. Photoluminescence measurements exhibit UV emission centred at 380 nm and yellow-orange emission centred at 580 nm. Optical transmittance of the films show transparency above 70% for sample annealed for 30 minutes.