Structural and optical characterization of nitrogen and gallium co-doped ZnO thin films, deposited by sol-gel method

Co-doped ZnO films; Film morphology; Sol-gel processing; Structure; Cobalt compounds; Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy; Gallium; Gallium compounds; II-VI semiconductors; Metallic films; Morphology; Nitrogen; Optical properties; Scanning electron microscopy; Semiconductor doping; Sol-gel process; Structure (composition); Zinc oxide; Zinc sulfide; Co-doped ZnO; Field emission scanning electron microscopes; Optical transparency; Sol-gel technology; Structural and optical characterizations; Wurtzite structure; Thin films

Abstract :

[en] Nitrogen and gallium co-doped ZnO films have been successfully obtained by a sol-gel technology using spin coating. ZnO:N, ZnO:Ga and co-doped (N, Ga) ZnO films are deposited on silicon and quartz substrates. The structural, morphological and optical properties of ZnO:N:Ga thin films are studied depending on the thermal treatments (300–600 °C) and the two dopants: N and Ga. The investigations of the doped ZnO films have been performed by using X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Field Emission Scanning Electron microscope (FESEM) and UV–VIS–NIR spectrophotometry. It has been found that the co-doped (N, Ga) ZnO films are crystallized in the wurtzite structure with no impurity phases. The optical transparency of ZnO:Ga and ZnO:N:Ga films is above 80% in the spectral range of 400–800 nm, revealing a significant improvement compared to undoped ZnO films. Gallium and nitrogen co-doping in ZnO results in the modification of the surface morphologies changing from wrinkle-like (undoped ZnO) to closed packed grained microstructure (ZnO:N:Ga films). © 2020 Elsevier B.V.

Disciplines :

Chemistry
Physics

Author, co-author :

Ivanova, T.; Central Laboratory of Solar Energy and New Energy Sources, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Tzarigradsko Chaussee 72, Sofia, 1784, Bulgaria

Harizanova, A.; Central Laboratory of Solar Energy and New Energy Sources, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Tzarigradsko Chaussee 72, Sofia, 1784, Bulgaria

Koutzarova, T.; Institute of Electronics, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Tzarigradsko Chaussee 72, Sofia, 1784, Bulgaria

Vertruyen, Bénédicte ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département de chimie (sciences) > Chimie inorganique structurale

Closset, Raphaël ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département de chimie (sciences) > Département de chimie (sciences)

Language :

English

Title :

Structural and optical characterization of nitrogen and gallium co-doped ZnO thin films, deposited by sol-gel method

Publication date :

2020

Journal title :

Journal of Molecular Structure

ISSN :

0022-2860

eISSN :

1872-8014

Publisher :

Elsevier B.V.

Volume :

1206

Pages :

127773

Peer reviewed :

Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi

Additional URL :

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molstruc.2020.127773

Available on ORBi :

since 13 July 2020

Statistics

Number of views

62 (5 by ULiège)

Number of downloads

285 (2 by ULiège)

More statistics

Scopus citations^®

Scopus citations^®
without self-citations

OpenCitations

Bibliography

Wei, A., Pan, L., Huang, W., Recent progress in the ZnO nanostructure-based sensors. Mater. Sci. Eng. B Solid-State Mater. Adv. Technol. 176 (2011), 1409–1421.
Chu, S., Olmedo, M., Yang, Z., Kong, J., Liu, J., Electrically pumped ultraviolet ZnO diode lasers on Si. Appl. Phys. Lett., 93(18), 2008, 181106.
Wang, J., Chen, R., Xiang, L., Komarneni, S., Synthesis, properties and applications of ZnO nanomaterials with oxygen vacancies: a review. Ceram. Int. 44:7 (2018), 7357–7377.
Lung, C., Toma, M., Pop, M., Marconi, D., Pop, A., Characterization of the structural and optical properties of ZnO thin films doped with Ga, Al and (Al+Ga). J. Alloys Compd. 725 (2017), 1238–1243.
Samadi, M., Zirak, M., Naseri, A., Khorashadizade, E., Moshfegh, A.Z., Recent progress on doped ZnO nanostructures for visible-light photocatalysis. Thin Solid Films 605 (2016), 2–19.
Kalaivanan, A., Perumal, S., Pillai, N., Sivaramamoorthy, K., Muralie, K.R., Characteristics of gallium doped ZnO thin films deposited by sol gel dip coating. ECS Trans. 19:27 (2009), 65–70.
Chen, S., Carraro, G., Barreca, D., Sapelkin, A., Chen, W., Huang, X., Cheng, Q., Zhang, F., Binions, R., Aerosol assisted chemical vapour deposition of Ga-doped ZnO films for energy efficient glazing: effects of doping concentration on the film growth behaviour and opto-electronic properties. J. Mater. Chem. 3 (2015), 13039–13049.
Xu, J., Ott, R., Sabau, A.S., Pan, Z., Xiu, F., Liu, J., Erie, J.-M., Norton, D.P., Generation of nitrogen acceptors in ZnO using pulse thermal processing. Appl. Phys. Lett., 92, 2008, 151112.
Valour, A., Cheviré, F., Tessier, F., Grasset, F., Dierre, B., Jiang, T., Faulques, E., Laurent, C., Jobic, S., Preparation of nitrogen doped zinc oxide nanoparticles and thin films by colloidal route and low temperature nitridation process. Solid State Sci. 54 (2016), 30–36.
Tiron, V., Velicu, I., Stanescu, D., Magnan, H., Sirghi, L., High visible light photocatalytic activity of nitrogen-doped ZnO thin films deposited by HiPIMS. Surf. Coating. Technol. 324 (2017), 594–600.
Xiao, Z.Y., Liu, Y.C., Mu, R., Zhao, D.X., Zhang, J.Y., Stability of p -type conductivity in nitrogen-doped ZnO thin film. Appl. Phys. Lett., 92, 2008, 052106.
Özgür, Ü., Alivov, Ya I., Liu, C., Teke, A., Reshchikov, M.A., Doğan, S., Avrutin, V., Cho, S.-J., Morkoç, H., A comprehensive review of ZnO materials and devices. J. Appl. Phys., 98, 2005, 041301.
Dhara, S., Giri, P.K., Stable p-type conductivity and enhanced photoconductivity from nitrogen-doped annealed ZnO thin film. Thin Solid Films 520 (2012), 5000–5006.
Noh, W.S., Lee, Y.A., Lee, Y.H., Heo, Y.W., Kim, J.J., Effect of oxygen pressure on the p-type conductivity of Ga, P co-doped ZnO thin film grown by pulsed laser deposition. Ceram. Int. 42 (2016), 4136–4142.
Yamamoto, T., Codoping for the fabrication of p-type ZnO. Thin Solid Films 420–421 (2002), 100–106.
Xie, F.W., Yang, P., Li, P., Zhang, L.Q., First-principle study of optical properties of (N, Ga) codoped ZnO. Optic Commun. 285 (2012), 2660–2664.
Liau, L.C.K., Huang, J.S., Effect of indium- and gallium-doped ZnO fabricated through sol-gel processing on energy level variations. Mater. Res. Bull. 97 (2018), 6–12.
Farley, N.R.S., Staddon, C.R., Zhao, L., Edmonds, K.W., Gallagher, B.L., Gregory, D.H., Sol-gel formation of ordered nanostructured doped ZnO films. J. Mater. Chem. 14 (2004), 1087–1092.
Ivanova, T., Harizanova, A., Koutzarova, T., Vertruyen, B., Stefanov, B., Structural and morphological characterization of sol-gel ZnO: Ga films: effect of annealing temperatures. Thin Solid Films 646 (2018), 132–142.
Ivanova, T., Harizanova, A., Koutzarova, T., Vertruyen, B., Facile deposition of ZnO:Cu films: structural and optical characterization. Mater. Sci. Semicond. Process. 30 (2015), 561–570.
Tsai, S.Y., Lu, Y.M., Hon, M.H., Fabrication of low resistivity p-type ZnO thin films by implanting N+ ions. J. Phys. Conf., 100, 2008, 042037.
Mouritys, I., Silva, P., Byzynski, G., Ribeiro, C., Longo, E., Different dye degradation mechanisms for ZnO and ZnO doped with N (ZnO:N). J. Mol. Catal. Chem. 417 (2016), 89–100.
Oliveira, J.A., Nogueira, A.E., Gonçalves, M.C.P., Paris, E.C., Ribeiro, C., Poirier, G.Y., Giraldi, T.R., Photoactivity of N-doped ZnO nanoparticles in oxidative and reductive reactions. Appl. Surf. Sci. 433 (2018), 879–886.
Lung, C., Toma, M., Pop, M., Marconi, D., Pop, A., Characterization of the structural and optical properties of ZnO thin films doped with Ga, Al and (Al+Ga). J. Alloys Compd. 725 (2017), 1238–1243.
Yilmaz, M., Investigation of characteristics of ZnO:Ga nanocrystalline thin films with varying dopant content. Mater. Sci. Semicond. Process. 40 (2015), 99–106.
Sönmezoglu, S., Akma, E., Improvement of physical properties of ZnO thin films by tellurium doping. Appl. Surf. Sci. 318 (2014), 319–323.
Liton, M.N.H., Khan, M.K.R., Rahman, M.M., Islam, M.M., Effect of N and Cu doping on structure, surface morphology and photoluminescence properties of ZnO thin films. J. Sci. Res. 7:1–2 (2015), 23–32.
Liang, S., Bi, X., Structure, conductivity, and transparency of Ga-doped ZnO thin films arising from thickness contributions. J. Appl. Phys., 104, 2008, 113533.
Petrovic, Z., Ristic, M., Music, S., Development of ZnO microstructures produced by rapid hydrolysis of zinc acetylacetonate. Ceram. Int. 40:7 (2014), 10953–10959.
Yang, J., Zhao, Y., Frost, R.L., Infrared and infrared emission spectroscopy of gallium oxide α-GaO(OH) nanostructures. Spectrochim. Acta A 74:2 (2009), 398–403.
Rao, L.S., Rao, T.V., Naheed, Sd, Rao, P.V., Structural and optical properties of zinc magnesium oxide nanoparticles synthesized by chemical co-precipitation. Mater. Chem. Phys. 203 (2018), 133–140.
Srinet, G., Kumar, R., Sajal, V., Optical and magnetic properties of Mn doped ZnO samples prepared by solid state route. J. Mater. Sci. Mater. Electron. 25:7 (2014), 3052–3056.
Gougousi, T., Chen, Z., Deposition of yttrium oxide thin films in supercritical carbon dioxide. Thin Solid Films 516 (2008), 6197–6204.
Sinha, G., Ganguli, D., Chaudhuri, S., Ga2O3 and GaN nanocrystalline film: reverse micelle assisted solvothermal synthesis and characterization. J. Colloid Interface Sci. 319 (2008), 123–129.
Dulda, A., Morphology controlled synthesis of α -GaO(OH) nanoparticles: thermal conversion to Ga2O3 and photocatalytic properties. Adv. Mater. Sci. Eng., 2016, 2016 article ID 3905625.
Girija, K., Thirumalairajan, S., Avadhani, G.S., Mangalaraj, D., Ponpandian, N., Viswanathan, C., Synthesis, morphology, optical and photocatalytic performance of nanostructured β-Ga2O3. Mater. Res. Bull. 48 (2013), 2296–2303.
Winer, I., Shter, G.E., Mann-Lahav, M., Grader, G.S., Effect of solvents and stabilizers on sol-gel deposition of Ga-doped zinc oxide TCO films. J. Mater. Res. 26:10 (2011), 1309–1315.
Kumari, R., Sahai, A., Goswami, N., Effect of nitrogen doping on structural and optical properties of ZnO nanoparticles. Prog. Nat. Sci.: Met. Mater. Int. 25 (2015), 300–309.
Keyes, B.M., Gedvilas, L.M., Li, X., Coutts, T.J., Infrared spectroscopy of polycrystalline ZnO and ZnO:N thin films. J. Cryst. Growth 287 (2005), 297–302.
Al Rifai, S.A., Kulnitskiy, B.A., Synthesis and characterization of N-doped zinc oxide nanotetrapods. Russ. J. Phys. Chem. 90 (2016), 1049–1056.
Zerdali, M., Hanizaoui, S., Teheran, F.H., Rogers, P., Growth of ZnO thin film on SiO2/Si substrate by pulsed laser deposition and study of their physical properties. Matt. Lett. 60 (2006), 504–508.
Bonifácio, M.A.R., Lira, H.L., Neiva, L.S., Kiminami, R.H.G.A., Gama, L., Nanoparticles of ZnO doped with Mn: structural and morphological characteristics. Mater. Res. 20:4 (2017), 1044–1049.
El-Kemary, M., Nagy, N., El-Mehasseb, I., Nickel oxide nanoparticles: synthesis and spectral studies of interactions with glucose. Mater. Sci. Semicond. Process. 16 (2013), 1747–1752.
Elilarassi, R., Chandrasekaran, G., Structural, optical and magnetic properties of nanoparticles of ZnO:Ni—DMS prepared by sol–gel method. Mater. Chem. Phys. 123 (2010), 450–455.
Goswani, N., Sahni, A., Structural transformation in nickel doped zinc oxide nanostructures. Mater. Res. Bull. 48 (2013), 346–351.
Ristić, M., Marciuš, M., Petrović, Ž., Ivanda, M., Musić, S., The influence of experimental conditions on the formation of ZnO fibers by electrospinning. Croat. Chem. Acta 87:4 (2014), 315–320.
Sudrajat, H., Babel, S., A novel visible light active N-doped ZnO for photocatalytic degradation of dyes. J. Water Process Eng. 16 (2017), 309–318.
Li, X.D., Chen, T.P., Liu, P., Liu, Y., Leong, K.C., Effects of free electrons and quantum confinement in ultrathin ZnO films: a comparison between undoped and Al-doped ZnO. Optic Express, 21(12), 2013 14131-13318.
Hassan, M.M., Khan, W., Azam, A., Naqvi, A.H., Influence of Cr incorporation on structural, dielectric and optical properties of ZnO nanoparticles. J. Ind. Eng. Chem. 21 (2015), 283–291.
Mahdhi, H., Ayadi, Z.B., Alaya, S., Gauffier, J.L., Djessas, K., The effects of dopant concentration and deposition temperature on the structural, optical and electrical properties of Ga-doped ZnO thin films. Superlattice. Microst. 72 (2014), 60–71.
Zhao, J.L., Sun, X.W., Ryu, H., Moon, Y.B., Thermally stable transparent conducting and highly infrared reflective Ga-doped ZnO thin films by metal organic chemical vapor deposition. Opt. Mater. 33 (2011), 768–772.
Tuzemen, E.S., Kara, K., Elagoz, S., Takci, D.K., Altuntas, I., Ezen, R., Structural and electrical properties of nitrogen-doped ZnO thin films. Appl. Surf. Sci. 318 (2014), 157–163.
Hirai, M., Kumar, A., Effect of nitrogen doping on bonding state of ZnO thin films. J. Vac. Sci. Technol., A 25 (2007), 1534–1538.
Khorsand Zak, A., Majid, W.A., Abrishami, M., Yousefi, R., X-ray analysis of ZnO nanoparticles by Williamson–Hall and size–strain plot methods. Solid State Sci. 13 (2011), 251–256.
Ghosh, R., Basak, D., Fujihara, S., Effect of substrate-induced strain on the structural, electrical, and optical properties of polycrystalline ZnO thin films. J. Appl. Phys. 96 (2004), 2689–2692.
Ungula, J., Dejene, B.F., Swart, H.C., Band gap engineering, enhanced morphology and photoluminescence of un-doped, Ga and/or Al-doped ZnO nanoparticles by reflux precipitation method. J. Lumin. 195 (2018), 54–60.
Yilmaz, M., Caldiran, Z., Deniz, A.R., Aydogan, S., Gunturkun, R., Turut, A., Preparation and characterization of sol–gel-derived n-ZnO thin film for Schottky diode application. Appl. Phys. A 119 (2015), 547–552.
Wang, M., Liang, W., Yang, Y., Yang, J., Cheng, X., Hahn, S.H., Kim, E.J., Sol-gel derived transparent conducting ZnO:Al thin films: effect of crystallite orientation on conductivity and self-assembled network texture. Mater. Chem. Phys. 134 (2012), 845–850.
Othman, A.A., Ali, M.A., Ibrahim, E.M.M., Osman, M.A., Influence of Cu doping on structural, morphological, photoluminescence, and electrical properties of ZnO nanostructures synthesized by ice-bath assisted sonochemical method. J. Alloys Compd. 683 (2016), 399–411.
Kwon, S.J., Park, J.H., Park, J.G., Wrinkling of a sol-gel-derived thin film. Phys. Rev. E, 71, 2005, 011604.
Bu, I.Y.Y., Sol–gel production of wrinkled fluorine doped zinc oxide through hydrofluride acid. Ceram. Int. 40 (2014), 14589–14594.
Miller, J.B., Hsieh, H.J., Howard, B.H., Broitman, E., Microstructural evolution of sol–gel derived ZnO thin films. Thin Solid Films 518 (2010), 6792–6798.