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Chemical spray pyrolysis deposition of zinc sulphide thin films using ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt complexant

Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry volume 21, pages 2687–2697 (2017)Cite this article

Abstract

Zinc sulphide thin films were deposited by chemical spray pyrolysis technique. The films were deposited at substrate temperatures of 300, 350 and 400 °C using 0.1 M zinc chloride, 0.1 M thiourea and 0.01 M ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt (EDTA). The films have moderate transmittance between 56.00 and 77.73% over visible range, and the band gap energy varies between 3.87 and 4.12 eV. The films have high values of refractive index in the range 1.67 to 2.71 at 550 nm. The X-ray diffraction analysis of the films shows the presence of hexagonal and cubic structures. The crystallite size ranges between 6.122 and 43.023 nm. The surface morphology is flower-like, sheet-like and island-shaped nanoclusters. Raman spectroscopy reveals the presence of first-order, second-order and third-order Raman phonons. The Fourier transform infrared spectra show the presence of chemical bonds in the thin films while photoluminescence shows near band edge emission. The contact angle indicated hydrophilic nature of the deposited ZnS thin films.

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Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria and Shivaji University, Kolhapur, India, whose memorandum of understanding (MOU) made this research work possible. The authors also thank Engr. Emeka Okwuosa for the generous sponsorship of April 2014 and July 2016 conferences/workshops on the applications of nanotechnology to energy, health and environment and for financial support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria

    P. O. Offor, A. D. Omah, C. C. Daniel-Mkpume & B. A. Okorie

  2. Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria

    Assumpta C. Nwanya & Fabian I. Ezema

  3. Nanosciences African Network (NANOAFNET), iThemba LABS-National Research Foundation, 1 Old Faure Road, Somerset West 7129, P.O. Box 722, Somerset West, Western Cape Province, South Africa

    Malik Maaza & Fabian I. Ezema

  4. UNESCO-UNISA Africa Chair in Nanosciences/Nanotechnology, College of Graduate Studies, University of South Africa (UNISA), Muckleneuk Ridge, P.O. Box 392, Pretoria, South Africa

    Malik Maaza & Fabian I. Ezema

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  1. P. O. Offor
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  2. Assumpta C. Nwanya
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  3. A. D. Omah
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  4. C. C. Daniel-Mkpume
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  5. Malik Maaza
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  6. B. A. Okorie
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Correspondence to P. O. Offor.

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Offor, P.O., Nwanya, A.C., Omah, A.D. et al. Chemical spray pyrolysis deposition of zinc sulphide thin films using ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt complexant. J Solid State Electrochem 21, 2687–2697 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10008-017-3668-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10008-017-3668-2

Keywords

  • Zinc sulphide
  • EDTA
  • Structure
  • Morphology
  • Optical properties