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Structure–property correlations in sol-gel spin coated Zn2−xCdxSnO4 nanostructured films

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Abstract

This study reports the structure, optical and electrical properties of spin coated Zn2−xCdxSnO4 films. The structure–property relationship was investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), UV–VIS–NIR spectroscopy and Hall measurements. XRD study revealed the preferential growth along (311) for inverse spinel structured zinc stannate films. The modulation of granular surface morphology with Cd content has been observed. The broadening of F2g(3) mode and intensity enhancement of Eg mode at the expense of A1g mode for Zn2SnO4 system with Cd content has been observed. Chemical structure and charge states of the participating atoms were confirmed by XPS technique. The optical gap and optical transparency decreases with Cd content. The decrease in carrier mobility was found to dominate on an enhancement in carrier concentration to offer slight decrease in the electrical resistivity of Cd-doped films. Figure of merit has also been calculated with Cd content. These results are important for furthering the development and applications of these materials for future transparent electronics.

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Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledges SAIF, Panjab University, Chandigarh for XRD, FESEM and UV-Vis-NIR spectroscopy; MRC, MNIT, Jaipur for Hall measurements, Raman spectroscopy and XPS measurements. IA is grateful to DST (GoI, New Delhi) for proving financial support under Women Scientist Scheme (SR/WOS-A/PM 80/2017).

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  1. Semiconductors Laboratory, Department of Physics, DAV University, Jalandhar, 144012, India

    Isha Arora & Praveen Kumar Sharma

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  1. Isha Arora
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Arora, I., Sharma, P.K. Structure–property correlations in sol-gel spin coated Zn2−xCdxSnO4 nanostructured films. J Mater Sci: Mater Electron 32, 24980–24989 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10854-021-06956-6

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