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Comparison studies of Zn-doped CuO thin films deposited by manual and automated nebulizer-spray pyrolysis systems and their application in heterojunction-diode fabrication

  • Original Paper: Functional coatings, thin films, and membranes (including deposition techniques)
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Abstract

This paper reports on the development of an automated nebulizer-spray pyrolysis (NSP) system and comparison studies of zinc-doped copper oxide with doping concentrations of 1%, 3%, and 5% deposited by manual and automated nebulizer-spray pyrolysis (NSP) systems for heterojunction-diode applications. The structural, optical, morphological, and electrical properties of the prepared manual and automated CuO:Zn thin films were compared. X-ray diffractometry (XRD) studies revealed that all the manual and automated CuO:Zn thin films have monoclinic structure. The crystallite size of the films has been calculated using Scherrer’s formula. Field-emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) images revealed spherical-shaped small grains in the automated CuO:Zn thin films, while agglomerated particles are observed in the manual CuO:Zn thin films. The highest optical absorbance and lowest optical band gap values were recorded using UV–Vis spectrophotometry. The optical band gap value increases when the doping with Zn increases beyond 3%. The maximum electrical conductivity of manual and automated CuO:Zn thin films was recorded using an electrometer. Based on the results obtained from these characterization studies, p-type (3% CuO:Zn thin film) and n-type (silicon wafer) samples prepared using the manual and automated NSP systems were used to fabricate Ag/p-CuO:Zn/n-Si heterojunction diodes, which were studied under dark and light conditions. The investigation results reveal that the heterojunction diode fabricated using the automated NSP system has a lower ideality factor and barrier height compared with the heterojunction diode prepared using the manual NSP system.

Highlights

  • Manual and automated CuO:Zn (3%) thin films show good structural, optical, morphological, and electrical properties.

  • Ag/p-CuO:Zn/n-Si heterojunction diode is fabricated using manual and automated nebulizer-spray pyrolysis (NSP) system.

  • Automated Ag/p-CuO:Zn/n-Si heterojunction diode shows the lowest ideality factor (ɳ) and barrier height (ɸb).

  • The investigation results confirm that the automation process significantly modifies thin-film and diode properties.

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  1. Department of Electronics, PSG College of Arts & Science, Coimbatore, 14, Tamilnadu, India

    V. Jagadeesan & Venkat Subramaniam

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Jagadeesan, V., Subramaniam, V. Comparison studies of Zn-doped CuO thin films deposited by manual and automated nebulizer-spray pyrolysis systems and their application in heterojunction-diode fabrication. J Sol-Gel Sci Technol 102, 614–627 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10971-021-05624-9

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