Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-t7fkt Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-28T06:26:20.878Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Silica-controlled structure and optical properties of zinc oxide sol–gel thin films

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 March 2011

Yi-Dong Zhang ,
Li-Wei Wang ,
Li-Wei Mi ,
Feng-Ling Yang  and
Zhi Zheng
Yi-Dong Zhang*
Affiliation:
Institute of Surface Micro and Nano Materials, Xuchang University, Xuchang 461000, People’s Republic of China
Li-Wei Wang
Affiliation:
College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xuchang University, Xuchang 461000, People’s Republic of China
Li-Wei Mi
Affiliation:
Institute of Surface Micro and Nano Materials, Xuchang University, Xuchang 461000, People’s Republic of China
Feng-Ling Yang
Affiliation:
Institute of Surface Micro and Nano Materials, Xuchang University, Xuchang 461000, People’s Republic of China; and College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xuchang University, Xuchang 461000, People’s Republic of China
Zhi Zheng
Affiliation:
Institute of Surface Micro and Nano Materials, Xuchang University, Xuchang 461000, People’s Republic of China
*
a)Address all correspondence to this author. e-mail: [email protected]
Get access

Abstract

Transparent and high preferential c-axis-oriented ZnO thin films doped with SiO2 have been prepared by sol–gel method using zinc nitrate and tetraethylorthosilicate as precursors, absolute ethanol as solvent, and diethanolamine as sol stabilizer. Thin film deposition was performed by spin coating technique at a spinning speed of 2000 rpm/sec on glass substrate followed by calcinations at 500 °C. The structural characteristics of the samples were analyzed by x-ray diffractometer and atomic force microscope. The optical properties were studied by an ultraviolet–visible spectrophotometer. The results show that all the prepared ZnO thin films have a compact hexagonal wurtzite structure. With the change in the amount of SiO2 dopants, the intensity of (002) peak, particle size, surface root mean square roughness, thickness, transmittance, absorbance, and the optical band gap of the ZnO–SiO2 thin films were changed as well.

Keywords

FilmOpticalSol–gel
Type
Articles
Information
Journal of Materials Research , Volume 26 , Issue 7 , 14 April 2011 , pp. 882 - 888
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2011

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

1.Zhang, F. and Wong, S.S.: Controlled synthesis of semiconducting metal sulfide nanowires. Chem. Mater. 21, 4541 (2009).Google Scholar
2.Wu, C.T., Lin, C.H., Cheng, C., Wu, C.S., Ting, H.C., Chang, F.C., and Ko, F.H.: Design of artificial hollow moth-eye structures using anodic nanocones for high-performance optics. Chem. Mater. 22, 6583 (2010).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
3.Bian, J.M., Liu, W.F., Sun, J.C., and Liang, H.W.: Synthesis and defect-related emission of ZnO based light-emitting device with homo- and hetero structure. J. Mater. Process. Technol. 184, 451 (2007).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
4.Lee, J.B., Lee, H.J., Seo, S.H., and Park, J.S.: Characterization of undoped and Cu-doped ZnO films for surface acoustic wave applications. Thin Solid Films 398, 641 (2001).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
5.Calestani, D., Zha, M., Mosca, R., Zappettini, A., Carotta, M.C., Di Natale, V., and Zanotti, L.: Growth of ZnO tetrapods for nanostructure-based gas sensors. Sens. Actuators, B 144, 472 (2010).Google Scholar
6.Harada, Y., Tanahashi, I., and Ohno, N.: Luminescence enhancement of ZnO nanoparticles on metal surface. J. Lumin. 129, 1759 (2009).Google Scholar
7.Grigorjeva, L., Millers, D., Smits, K., Pankratov, V., Lokowski, W., Fidelus, J., Chudoba, T., Bienkowski, K., and Monty, C.: Excitonic luminescence in ZnO nanoparticles and ceramics. Opt. Mater. 31, 1825 (2009).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
8.Logothetidis, S., Laskarakis, A., Kassavetis, S., Lousinian, S., Gravalisis, C., and Kiriakidis, G.: Optical and structural properties of ZnO for transparent electronics. Thin Solid Films 516, 1345 (2008).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
9.Ohshima, T., Thareja, R.K., Ikegami, T., and Ebihara, K.: Preparation of ZnO thin films on various substrates by pulsed laser deposition. Surf. Coat. Tech. 169, 517 (2003).Google Scholar
10.Ortiz, A., Falcony, C., Hernandez, J., Garcia, A.M., and Alonso, J.C.: Photoluminescent characteristics of lithium-doped zinc oxide films deposited by spray pyrolysis. Thin Solid Films 293, 103 (1997).Google Scholar
11.Gao, W. and Li, Z.W.: ZnO thin films prepared by magnetron sputtering. Ceram. Int. 30, 1155 (2004).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
12.Azaceta, E., Tena-zaera, R., Marcilla, R., Fantini, S., Echeberris, J., Pomposo, J.A., Grance, H., and Mecerreyes, D.: Electrochemical deposition of ZnO in a room temperature ionic liquid: 1-butyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium bis (trifluoromethane sulfonyl) mide. Electrochem. Commun. 11, 2184 (2009).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
13.Dutta, M., Mridha, S., and Basak, D.: Effect of sol concentration on the properties of ZnO thin films prepared by sol-gel technique. Appl. Surf. Sci. 254, 2743 (2008).Google Scholar
14.Mandal, S., Goswami, M.L.N., Das, K., Dhar, A., and Ray, S.K.: Temperature dependent photoluminescence characteristics of nanocrystalline ZnO thin films grown by sol-gel technique. Thin Solid Films 516, 8702 (2008).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
15.Lee, W., Jeong, M.C., and Myoung, J.M.: Catalyst-free growth of ZnO nanowires by metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) and thermal evaporation. Acta Mater. 52, 3949 (2004).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
16.Ma, Z.Q., Zhao, W.G., and Wang, Y.: Electrical properties of Na/Mg co-doped ZnO thin films. Thin Solid Films 515, 8611 (2007).Google Scholar
17.Wang, J., Chen, W., and Wang, M.R.: Properties analysis of Mn-doped ZnO piezoelectric films. J. Alloy. Comp. 449, 44 (2008).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
18.Zhu, L.P., Ye, Z.G., Wang, X.T., Ye, Z.Z., and Zhao, B.H.: Structural and magnetic properties of Co-Ga co-doped thin films fabricated by pulsed laser deposition. Thin Solid Films 518, 1879 (2010).Google Scholar
19.Kumar, S., Kumar, R., and Singh, D.P.: Swift heavy ion induced modifications in cobalt doped ZnO thin films: Structural and optical studies. Appl. Surf. Sci. 255, 8014 (2009).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
20.Liu, E., Xiao, P., Chen, J.S., Liu, B.C., and Li, L.: Ni doped ZnO thin films for diluted magnetic semiconductor materials. Curr. Appl. Phys. 8, 408 (2008).Google Scholar
21.Wang, D.Y., Zhou, J., and Liu, G.Z.: The microstructure and photoluminescence of Cu-doped ZnO nano-crystal thin films prepared by sol-gel method. J. Alloy. Comp. 487, 545 (2009).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
22.Ge, C.Q., Xie, C.S., and Cai, S.Z.: Preparation and gas-sensing properties of Ce-doped ZnO thin-film sensors by dip-coating. Mater. Sci. Eng. B 137, 53 (2007).Google Scholar
23.Zhu, Y., Lin, S.S., Zhang, Y.Z., Ye, Z.Z., Lu, Y.F., Lu, J.G., and Zhan, B.H.: Temperature effect on the electrical, structural and optical properties of N-doped ZnO films by plasma-free metal organic chemical vapor deposition. Appl. Surf. Sci. 255, 6201 (2009).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
24.Ding, R.Q., Zhu, H.Q., and Wang, Y.: Realization of phosphorous-doped p-type ZnO thin films via diffusion and thermal activation. Mater. Lett. 62, 498 (2008).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
25.Tsai, Y.Z., Wang, N.F., and Tsai, C.L.: Fluorine-doped ZnO transparent conducting thin films prepared by radio frequency magnetron sputtering. Thin Solid Films 518, 4955 (2010).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
26.Zhao, S.Q., Zhou, Y.L., Liu, Y.Z., and Zhou, K.: Enhanced hardness in B-doped ZnO thin films on fused quartz substrates by pulsed laser deposition. Appl. Surf. Sci. 253, 726 (2006).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
27.Liu, G.X., Shan, F.K., Lee, W.J., Shin, B.C., Kim, H.S., and Kim, J.H.: Boron and nitrogen co-doped ZnO thin films for opto-electronic applications. Ceram. Int. 34, 1011 (2008).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
28.Tsay, C.Y., Cheng, H.C., Tung, Y.T., Tuan, W.H., and Lin, C.K.: Effect of Sn-doped on microstructural and optical properties of ZnO thin films deposited by sol-gel method. Thin Solid Films 517, 1032 (2008).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
29.Nian, H., Hahn, S.H., Koo, K.K., Shin, E.W., and Kim, E.J.: Sol-gel derived N-doped ZnO thin films. Mater. Lett. 63, 2246 (2009).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
30.Polarz, S., Neues, F., van den Berg, M.W.E., Grunert, W., and Khodeir, L.: Mesosynthesis of ZnO-silica composites for methanol nanocatalysis. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 127, 12028 (2005).CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
31.Chiappini, A., Armellini, C., Chiasera, A., Ferrari, M., Guider, R., Jestin, Y., Minati, L., Moser, E., Nunzi Conti, G., Pelli, S., Retoux, R., Righini, G.C., and Speranza, G.: Preparation and characterization of ZnO particles embedded in organic-inorganic planar waveguide by sol-gel route. J. Non-Cryst. Solids 355, 1132 (2009).Google Scholar
32.Zhao, S.C., Ji, Z.G., Yang, Y.D., Huo, D.X., and Lv, Y.F.: Nano-ZnO embedded SiO2 glass with intense ultraviolet emission. Mater. Lett. 61, 2547 (2007).Google Scholar
33.Dallali, L., Jaziri, S., Haskouri, J.E., and Amoros, P.: Optical properties of exciton confinement in spherical ZnO quantum dots embedded in SiO2 matrix. Superlattices Microstruct. 46, 907 (2009).Google Scholar
34.Naszalyi, L., Bosc, F., Mansouri, A.E., Lee, A.V.D., Cot, D., Horvolgyi, Z., and Ayral, A.: Sol-gel-derived mesoporous SiO2/ZnO active coating and development of multifunctional ceramic membranes. Sep. Purif. Technol. 59, 304 (2008).Google Scholar
35.Sharma, P.K., Dutta, R.K., Kumar, M., Singh, P.K., and Pandey, A.C.: Luminescence studies and formation mechanism of symmetrically dispersed ZnO quantum dots embedded in SiO2 matrix. J. Lumin. 129, 605 (2009).Google Scholar
36.Li, Y.Q., Yang, Y., Fu, S.Y., Yi, X.Y., Wang, L.C., and Chen, H.D.: Transparent and light-emitting epoxy super-nanocomposites containing ZnO-QDs/SiO2 nanocomposite particles as encapsulating materials for solid-state lighting. J. Phys. Chem. C 112, 18616 (2008).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
37.Panigrahi, S., Bera, A., and Basak, D.: Encapsulation of 2-3 nm sized ZnO quantum dots in a SiO2 matrix and observation of negative photoconductivity. ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 10, 2408 (2009).Google Scholar
38.Zhang, Y.D., Jia, H.M., Li, P.J., Yang, F.L., and Zheng, Z.: Influence of glucose on the structure and optical properties of ZnO thin films prepared by sol-gel method. Opt. Commun. 284, 236 (2011).Google Scholar
39.Zhang, Y.D., Fa, W.J., Yang, F.L., Zheng, Z., and Zhang, P.Y.: Effect of annealing temperature on the structural and optical properties of ZnO thin films prepared by sol-gel method. Ionics 16, 815 (2010).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
40.Wang, M.R., Wang, J., Chen, W., Cui, Y., and Wang, L.D.: Effect of preheating and annealing temperatures on quality characteristics of ZnO thin films prepared by sol-gel method. Mater. Chem. Phys. 97, 219 (2006).Google Scholar
41.Jia, Q.Y., Zhang, Y.J., Wu, Z.S., and Zhang, P.Y.: Tribological properties of anatase TiO2 sol-gel films controlled by mutually soluble dopants. Tribol. Lett. 26, 19 (2006).Google Scholar
42.Zhu, H.L., Yao, K.H., Zhang, H., and Yang, D.R.: InOOH hollow spheres synthesized by a simple hydrothermal reaction. J. Phys. Chem. B 109, 20676 (2005).CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
43.Bouguerra, M., Samah, M., Belkhir, M.A., Chergui, A., Gerbous, L., Nouet, G., Chateigner, D., and Madelon, R.: Intense photoluminescence of slightly doped ZnO-SiO2 matrix. Chem. Phys. Lett. 425, 77 (2006).Google Scholar
44.Fujihara, S., Ogawa, Y., and Kasai, A.: Tunable visible photoluminescence from ZnO thin films through Mg-doping and annealing. Chem. Mater. 16, 2965 (2004).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
45.Lin, S.S., Huang, J.L., and Sajgalik, P.: The properties of heavily Al-doped ZnO films before and after annealing in the different atmosphere. Surf. Coat. Tech. 185, 254 (2004).Google Scholar
46.Bouhssira, N., Abed, S., and Tomasella, E.: Influence of annealing temperature on the properties of ZnO thin films deposited by thermal evaporation. Appl. Surf. Sci. 252, 5594 (2006).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
47.Caglar, M., Ilican, S., Caglar, Y., and Yakuphanoglu, F.: Electrical conductivity and optical properties of ZnO nanostructured thin film. Appl. Surf. Sci. 255, 4491 (2009).Google Scholar
48.Berber, M., Bulto, V., Klib, R., and Hahn, H.: Transparent nanocrystalline ZnO films prepared by spin coating. Scr. Mater. 53, 547 (2005).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
49.Shinde, V.R., Lokhande, C.D., Mane, R.S., and Han, S.H.: Hydrophobic and textured ZnO films deposited by chemical bath deposition: Annealing effect. Appl. Surf. Sci. 245, 407 (2005).Google Scholar
50.Kim, K.J. and Park, Y.R.: Effect of Samarium doping on optical properties of Zn0.9 (Co1-xSmx) 0.1O diluted magnetic semiconductor. Appl. Phys. Lett. 81, 1420 (2002).CrossRefGoogle Scholar