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Optical Properties of Zinc Sulphide Thin Films Coated with Aqueous Organic Dye Extract for Solar and Optoelectronic Device Applications

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Abstract

Optical properties of ZnS thin films coated with organic dye extract on different Zn2+ concentrations from ZnSO4 are presented in this study. The effects of concentration and post-deposition annealing temperatures on the optical properties of the films were investigated. Aqueous dye extract-coated ZnS nanocrystals, were prepared by a simple and low-cost chemical bath deposition method. Results obtained revealed that optical properties of the films were modified by concentration and post-deposition annealing temperature. Increasing concentration reduced the transparency of the films. Annealing increased the transparency of the films except for films deposited with 0.1M concentration of ZnSO4. In general, the heat-treated layers were found to transmit better than the as-deposited layers. The analysis of energy band gap showed a reduction in band gap with increasing Zn2+ concentration of the as-deposited films. It also indicated that post-deposition annealing, increased energy band gap except for films deposited with 0.1M concentration of ZnSO4. The relationship between the energy band gap with both concentration and post-deposition annealing fit into the quadratic model with high R2 values. The range of values of 3.889–3.981eV recorded for the band gaps is within the range for application in diverse solar architecture and optoelectronic devices.

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Acknowledgments

The authors sincerely appreciate the anonymous reviewers for their thorough review. Though independently reviewed, both raised similar issues about the manuscript. This is indicative of depth and thoroughness in their reviews, which have now helped to improve the manuscript. The authors also appreciate the Academic Research and Entrepreneurship Development (A-RED) Initiative, Asaba, Delta State, Nigeria, for provision of current literature and helping to run the plagiarism test on the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu Alike, Ebonyi State, Nigeria

    Uche Paul Onochie

  2. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Delta State University, Oleh Campus, Abraka, Delta State, Nigeria

    Sunday Chukwuyem Ikpeseni

  3. Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Enugu, Nigeria

    Anthony Egwu Igweoko

  4. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Delta State University, Oleh Campus, Abraka, Delta State, Nigeria

    Hilary Ijeoma Owamah

  5. NASRDA, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ife, Osun, Nigeria

    Chinecherem Collins Aluma

  6. Department of Physics/Geology/Geophysics, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu Alike, Ebonyi State, Nigeria

    Chukwuemeka Augustine

Authors
  1. Uche Paul Onochie
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  2. Sunday Chukwuyem Ikpeseni
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  3. Anthony Egwu Igweoko
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  4. Hilary Ijeoma Owamah
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  5. Chinecherem Collins Aluma
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  6. Chukwuemeka Augustine
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Contributions

UPO conceived the concept and developed the study framework and methodology. SCI, AEI, CCA and CA sourced for the data, interpreted results obtained and drafted the first manuscript. HIO supplied the literature for the study, undertook the English language editing and reformatting of figures. HIO and SCI handled the various revisions of the manuscript in line with comments from reviewers and the editor. All authors made comments on the revised manuscript. UPO and HIO handled the submission and correspondence activities.

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Correspondence to Uche Paul Onochie or Hilary Ijeoma Owamah.

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Onochie, U.P., Ikpeseni, S.C., Igweoko, A.E. et al. Optical Properties of Zinc Sulphide Thin Films Coated with Aqueous Organic Dye Extract for Solar and Optoelectronic Device Applications. J. Electron. Mater. 50, 2576–2583 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11664-021-08792-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11664-021-08792-0

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