title: Synthesis of nanocrystalline SnO(x) (x = 1-2) thin film using a chemical bath deposition method with improved deposition time, temperature and pH.
abstract: Nanocrystalline SnO(x) (x = 1-2) thin films were prepared on glass substrates by a simple chemical bath deposition method. Triethanolamine was used as complexing agent to decrease time and temperature of deposition and shift the pH of the solution to the noncorrosive region. The films were characterized for composition, surface morphology, structure and optical properties. X-ray diffraction analysis confirms that SnO(x) thin films consist of a polycrystalline structure with an average grain size of 36 nm. Atomic force microscopy studies show a uniform grain distribution without pinholes. The elemental composition was evaluated by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The average O/Sn atomic percentage ratio is 1.72. Band gap energy and optical transition were determined from optical absorbance data. The film was found to exhibit direct and indirect transitions in the visible spectrum with band gap values of about 3.9 and 3.7 eV, respectively. The optical transmittance in the visible region is 82%. The SnO(x) nanocrystals exhibit an ultraviolet emission band centered at 392 nm in the vicinity of the band edge, which is attributed to the well-known exciton transition in SnO(x). Photosensitivity was detected in the positive region under illumination with white light.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Advanced Technology, University Putra Malaysia, 43400, UPM Serdang, Malaysia. ebrahimiasl.saeideh@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Saeideh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ebrahimiasl
authors.forename: Wan Md Zin Wan
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Yunus
authors.forename: Anuar
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kassim
authors.forename: Zulkarnain
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zainal
mesh_terms: D000042:Absorption; D004055:Differential Thermal Analysis; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008163:Luminescent Measurements; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D055620:Optical Phenomena; D013052:Spectrometry, X-Ray Emission; D013499:Surface Properties; D013696:Temperature; D013818:Thermogravimetry; D013997:Time Factors; D017971:Tin Compounds / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry; D014961:X-Ray Diffraction
chemical_list: D017971:Tin Compounds; C045358:stannic oxide