Bis(2-hydroxy-1-naphthaldehydato)zinc(II) as a precursor for the preparation of ZnO thin films through aerosol-assisted chemical vapour deposition

Abstract

Bis(2-hydroxy-1-naphthaldehydato)zinc(II) complex was used as a precursor to deposit ZnO films on glass substrates at 350, 400, and 450 °C using aerosol assisted chemical vapour deposition (AACVD) technique. The optical properties of the films were investigated by UV–vis spectroscopy and photoluminescence (PL). The results show that temperature of decomposition has a huge effect on the material deposited. The optical characterization of ZnO thin films deposited on the glass substrate reveal the direct optical band gap in the range of 3.15 to 3.08 eV. The photoluminescence spectra were red shifted as the decomposition temperature was increased. The diffraction patterns of all ZnO thin films prepared at different temperatures show the face centred cubic structures with the lattice parameter of a = b = c = 4.289 A°. The structural properties of the ZnO thin films show an improvement in crystallinity of the materials when the temperature was increased.