Skip to main content
Log in

Zinc oxide films prepared by sol–gel spin coating technique

  • Published:
Applied Physics A Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Zinc oxide (ZnO) thin films and micro- and nanostructures are very promising candidates for novel applications in emerging thin-film transistors, solar cells, sensors and optoelectronic devices. In this paper, a low-cost sol–gel spin coating technique was used to fabricate ZnO films on glass substrates. The sol–gel fabrication process of the ZnO films is described. The influence of precursor concentration on the material properties of the ZnO films was investigated. Atomic force microscopy and X-ray diffractometry were employed to examine the structural properties of the ZnO films. The optical properties of the ZnO films were characterized with ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy. The experimental results reveal that the precursor concentration in the sol–gel spin coating process exerts a strong influence on the properties of the ZnO films. The effects of the precursor concentration are discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. C.D. Bojorge, H.R. Canepa, U.E. Gilabert, D. Silva, E.A. Dalchiele, R.E. Marotti, Synthesis and optical characterization of ZnO and ZnO:Al nanocrystalline films obtained by the sol–gel dip-coating process. J. Mater. Sci., Mater. Electron. 18, 1119 (2007)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. S.A. Kamaruddin, M.Z. Sahdan, K.-Y. Chan, M. Rusop, H. Saim, Influence of post-annealing temperature on the material properties of zinc oxide nanorod. J. Nanosci. Nanotechnol. 10(10), 6419 (2010)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. J.Y. Lao, J.G. Wen, Z.F. Ren, Hierarchical ZnO nanostructures. Nano Lett. 2, 1287 (2002)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  4. M. Puricaa, E. Budianua, E. Rusub, M. Danilaa, R. Gavrila, Optical and structural investigation of ZnO thin films prepared by chemical vapor deposition (CVD). Thin Solid Films 403–404, 485 (2002)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. E. Bacaksiz, M. Parlak, M. Tomakin, A. Ozcelik, M. Karakiz, M. Altunbas, The effects of zinc nitrate, zinc acetate and zinc chloride precursors on investigation of structural and optical properties of ZnO thin films. J. Alloys Compd. 466, 447 (2008)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. M.H. Mamat, M.Z. Sahdan, Z. Khusaimi, A. Zain Ahmed, S. Abdullah, M. Rusop, Influence of doping concentrations on the aluminum doped zinc oxide thin films properties for ultraviolet photoconductive sensor applications. Opt. Mater. 117(11), 1263 (2010)

    Google Scholar 

  7. W. Zhang, Y. Liao, L. Li, Q. Yu, G. Wang, Y. Li, Z. Fu, Structure and properties of ZnO films grown on Si substrates with low temperature buffer layers. Appl. Surf. Sci. 253, 2765 (2006)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  8. M. Smirnov, C. Baban, G.I. Rusu, Structural and optical characteristics of spin-coated ZnO thin films. Appl. Surf. Sci. 256, 2405 (2010)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  9. T. Sahoo, M. Kim, M.-H. Lee, L.-W. Jang, J.-W. Jeon, J.S. Kwak, I.-Y. Ko, I.-H. Lee, Nanocrystalline ZnO thin films by spin coating-pyrolysis method. J. Alloys Compd. 491, 308 (2010)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. L. Znaidi, G.J.A.A. Soler Illia, S. Benyahia, C. Sanchez, A.V. Kanaev, Oriented ZnO thin films synthesis by sol–gel process for laser application. Thin Solid Films 428, 257 (2003)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  11. M. Dutta, S. Miridha, D. Basak, Effect of sol concentration on the properties of ZnO thin films prepared by sol–gel technique. Appl. Surf. Sci. 254, 2743 (2008)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  12. M.J. Alam, D.C. Cameron, Characterization of transparent conductive ITO thin films deposited on titanium dioxide film by a sol–gel process. Surf. Coat. Technol. 142, 776 (2001)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. A. Ratkovich, R.L. Penn, Zinc oxide nanoparticle growth from homogenous solution: influence of Zn:OH, water concentration, and surfactant additives. Mater. Res. Bull. 44, 993 (2009)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. X. Zhao, J.Y. Lee, C.-R. Kim, J.H. Heo, C.M. Shin, J.-Y. Leem, H. Ryu, J.H. Chang, H.C. Lee, W.G. Jung, C.S. Son, B.C. Shin, W.J. Lee, S.T. Tan, J. Zhao, X. Sun, Dependence of the properties of hydrothermally grown ZnO on precursor concentration. Physica E 41, 1423 (2009)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  15. K.-M. Jin, P. Tsai, Parametric study on preparation and characterization of ZnO:Al films by sol–gel method for solar cells. Mater. Sci. Eng. B 139, 81 (2007)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. S.-Y. Kuo, W.-C. Chen, C.-P. Cheng, Investigation of annealing-treatment on the optical and electrical properties of sol–gel-derived zinc oxide thin films. Superlattices Microstruct. 39, 162 (2006)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kah-Yoong Chan.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Kamaruddin, S.A., Chan, KY., Yow, HK. et al. Zinc oxide films prepared by sol–gel spin coating technique. Appl. Phys. A 104, 263–268 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00339-010-6121-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00339-010-6121-2

Keywords

Navigation