Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Stable α-MnS thin film deposited by two-electrode cell: synthesis, structural characterization and photoemission spectroscopic studies

  • Published:
Applied Physics A Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Stable MnS thin film was deposited from catalyst-free inorganic solution by electrochemical cell. The film was characterized by some surface profiling techniques. Morphology revealed that film’s particles were fairly distributed across substrate’s surface. Crystallinity and surface growth height/roughness were observed before and after post-deposition annealing. Optical studies further showed that annealing has improved film transmittance across visible wavelength region. Reflections from planes associated with only rock salt structure of MnS were prominently identified by diffraction studies. An estimated average crystal size of 17.40 nm suggested that the deposited film is mainly composed of nanocrystalline particles. Film durability was appraised by core-level profiling of Mn and S binding energy (BE) positions during X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS). The results indicated that before and after vacuum annealing, chemical states of Mn and S remained the same suggesting that the film did not undergo any form of transformation after long exposure to ambient environment. This study demonstrated sustainability of MnS electrode in extreme environmental condition.

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

Access this article

Log in via an institution

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

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. G. Pandey, H.K. Sharma, S.K. Srivastava, R.K. Kotnala, γ-MnS nano and micro architectures: synthesis, characterization and optical properties. Mater. Res. Bull. 46, 1804–1810 (2011)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. C. Gumus, C. Ulutas, Y. Ufuktepe, Optical and structural properties of manganese sulfide thin films. Opt. Mater. 29, 1183–1187 (2007)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  3. Y.C. Zhang, H. Wang, B. Wang, H.Y. Xu, H. Yan, M. Yoshimura, Opt. Mater. 23, 433–437 (2003)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  4. Y. Zhang, Z. Zhang, S. Wang, X. Ma, Y. Qian, Synthesis and characterization of α-MnS polyhedrons and spheres. Mater. Chem. Phys. 97, 365–370 (2006)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. S. Biswas, S. Kar, S. Chaudhuri, Solvothermal synthesis of α-MnS single crystals. Cryst. Growth 284, 129–135 (2005)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  6. C. An, K. Tang, X. Liu, F. Li, G. Zhou, Y. Qian, Hydrothermal preparation of α-MnS nanorods from elements. Cryst. Growth 252, 575–580 (2003)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  7. B.A. Taleatu, E. Omotoso, C. Lal, W.O. Makinde, K.T. Ogundele, E. Ajenifuja, A.R. Lasisi, M.A. Eleruja, G.T. Mola, XPS and som surface characterization of electrodeposited MgO nanostructure. Surf. Interface Anal. 46, 372–377 (2014)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. F. Iacomi, I. Salaoru, N. Apetroaei, A. Vasile, C.M. Teodorescu, D. Macovei, Optoelectron. Adv. Mater. 8, 266–270 (2006)

    Google Scholar 

  9. J.F. Moulder, W.F. Stickle, P.E. Sobol, K.D. Bomben, Handbook of X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy. A Reference Book of Standard Spectra for Identification and Interpretation of XPS Data (Perkin–Elmer Corporation Physical Electronic Division, Eden Prairie, 1981)

    Google Scholar 

  10. S.A. Mayen-Hernandez, S. Jimenez-Sandoval, R. Castanedo-Perez, G. Torres-Delgado, B.S. Chao, O. Jimenez-Sandoval, Preparation and characterization of polycrystalline MnS thin films by RF-sputtering technique above room temperature. Cryst. Growth 256, 12–19 (2003)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This work is supported by University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), South Africa through postdoctoral scholarship. The authors are grateful to colleagues at Microscopy and Microanalysis Unit (MMU laboratory) of UKZN Durban and Pietermaritzburg campuses for SEM and EDX studies. Effort of staff of iTHEMBA Lab, Sommerset West, is appreciated on XRD. Colleagues at Chemistry Department Pietermaritzburg campus are acknowledged for optical measurement. Thanks to Dr. A. Goldoni’s group at Micro and NanoCarbon laboratory of Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A Trieste, Italy for photoemission experiments and analyses.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physics and Engineering Physics, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria

    Bidini A. Taleatu

  2. School of Chemistry and Physics, University of KwaZulu-Natal, P Bag X01 Scottsville, Pietermaritzburg, 3209, South Africa

    Bidini A. Taleatu, Elhadi A. A. Arbab & Genene T. Mola

Authors
  1. Bidini A. Taleatu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Elhadi A. A. Arbab
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Genene T. Mola
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Bidini A. Taleatu.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Taleatu, B.A., Arbab, E.A.A. & Mola, G.T. Stable α-MnS thin film deposited by two-electrode cell: synthesis, structural characterization and photoemission spectroscopic studies. Appl. Phys. A 120, 959–965 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00339-015-9262-5

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00339-015-9262-5

Keywords

Search

Navigation