Structural, electrical and optical properties of copper-doped zinc oxide films deposited by spray pyrolysis
Juliana Simões Chagas Licurgo, Gabriel Rodrigues de Almeida Neto, Herval Ramos Paes
Abstract
Abstract The effect of copper doping on structural, electrical, and optical properties of zinc oxide films was evaluated. Copper-doped films (ZnO:Cu) were successfully deposited on a glass substrate by spray pyrolysis at doping levels of 0, 2.5, and 7.5 at% (ZnO, ZC2.5, ZC7.5). All films were polycrystalline, single-phase with ZnO hexagonal wurtzite structure. The films presented nanostructured crystallites, from 36.7 to 38.2 nm. Cu doping increased the electrical conductivity of the ZnO films; this change was proportional to the Cu concentration. The films presented high optical transmittance of 70-80% in the visible wavelength. The energy gap decreased upon Cu doping. The photoluminescence spectrum of all films displayed an intense ultraviolet emission and a weaker blue emission. The emissions shifted to lower wavelengths with increasing dopant concentrations. ZC7.5 presented the most promising properties for an application as transparent conducting oxide: intense optical transmittance and UV photoluminescence, also the lowest electrical resistivity.