Abstract
Doped ZnO are among the most attractive transparent conductive oxides for solar cells because they are relatively cheap, can be textured for light trapping, and readily produced for large-scale coatings. Here, we focus on the development of alternative Na and K-doped ZnO prepared by an easy low-cost spray pyrolysis method for conducting oxide application. To enhance the electrical properties of zinc oxide, alkali-doped Zn1−x MxO (x = 0.03) solid solutions were investigated. The resulting layers crystallize in a single hexagonal phase of wurtzite structure with preferred c-axis orientation along a (002) crystal plane. Dense, well attached to the substrate, homogeneous and highly transparent layers were obtained with great optical transmittance higher than 80%. The optical energy band gap of doped ZnO films increase from 3.27 to 3.29 eV by doping with Na and K, respectively. The electrical resistivity of the undoped ZnO could be decreased from 1.03 × 10−1 Ω.cm to 5.64 × 10−2 Ω.cm (K-doped) and 3.18 × 10−2 (Na-doped), respectively. Lastly, the carrier concentrations increased from 5.17 × 1017 (undoped ZnO) to 1 × 1018 (doped ZnO).
Highlights
Prepared by an easy low-cost spray pyrolysis method for conducting oxide application
Structural changes in ZnO films deposited onto a soda-lime glass as a result of Na or K incorporation have been studied by Grazing incidence X-ray diffraction (GIXD)
We developed very low resistant and highly transparent alkali-doped ZnO thin films for transparent conductive oxide applications by an easy low-cost spray pyrolysis technique
Summary
Prepared by an easy low-cost spray pyrolysis method for conducting oxide application. ZnO is resistant to oxygen and moisture and it has very good optical transparency, easy solution processing, and a flexible host crystal lattice able to accept a variety of dopant substitutions [13]. It is well known that the process of thin films doping with elements of group 13 of the periodic table (Al, Ga, and In) improves its electrical properties [15,16]. Another material property for a high number of applications where the electronic charge has to be transmitted is the mobility of charge carriers (electrons and holes).
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