Abstract
Pt doped ZnO thin films were synthesized on soda-lime glass substrates using a cost-effective sol-gel method, followed by spin coating and thermal annealing at various temperatures. Several characterization techniques such as UV–Vis absorption spectroscopy, photoluminescence (PL), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectroscopy (ToF-SIMS), Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) are exploited to investigate the Pt doping effects on surface and optical properties of ZnO thin films. UV–Vis analysis demonstrated a slight decrease in the optical band gap from 3.3 eV to 3.2 eV with increased annealing, indicating enhanced suitability for optoelectronic applications. FESEM imaging revealed distinct worm-like structures and small Pt metal nanoparticles in unannealed samples, while thermal treatment supported the formation of spherical Pt nanoparticles and improved conductive pathways in the films. The Wagner diagram, coupled with Auger line transitions from XPS, quantified the oxidation states and chemical environments of Zn and Pt, respectively. Notably, the observed changes in the binding energy of the Zn-2p junction and the kinetic energy of the Zn-LMM Auger junction were significantly influenced by the Pt doping and the electronic properties of the substrate. The Wagner diagram provided a comprehensive visual representation of the parameters, facilitating a deeper understanding of electronic interactions and structural dynamics at the atomic level. XPS results confirmed the presence of ZnO, Zn(OH)2, Pt0 and PtO2 phases, indicating stability and constutient's interactions. ToF-SIMS also validated the uniform distribution of Pt nanoparticles within the ZnO thin film, confirming the effectiveness of the sol-gel method. As a result of Pt doping, PL studies revealed a large quenching effect on band edge emission in the UV and visible emission region of ZnO thin film, which is due to Pt acting as a recombination center for photogenerated carriers. Overall, our results highlight the influence of annealing and Pt incorporation on the optical and structural properties of ZnO thin films and highlight their potential applications for photonics and catalysis.
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