Nanocrystalline haematite thin films by chemical solution spray

Authors: Desai, J.D.; Pathan, H.M.; Min, Sun-Ki; Jung, Kwang-Deog; Joo, Oh-Shim

Source: Semiconductor Science and Technology, Volume 20, Number 8, August 2005 , pp. 705-709(5)

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Abstract:

Haematite thin films were prepared by spraying ethanolic solution of iron tri-chloride onto tin-doped indium oxide (ITO) coated glass substrates. The spray time, spray rate, pressure of carrier gas, etc were optimized to obtain nanocrystalline thin films. The films were adherent, smooth, compact and pinhole free. The films were characterized for their structural, morphological, optical and compositional properties. X-ray diffraction studies show that films are nanocrystalline alpha

-Fe₂O₃ having haematite phase. SEM shows that the film consists of elliptical grains randomly distributed with average grain size of about 40–45 nm. The optical band gap was found to be 2.0 eV. Compositional uniformity was confirmed by Auger emission spectroscopy. Annealing the films at 380 °C for half an hour increases the particle size.

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/0268-1242/20/8/009

Publication date: 2005-08-01