Low cost preparation technique for conductive and transparent Sb doped SnO2 nanocrystalline thin films for solar cell applications

Abstract

The spray pyrolysis , as a non-vacuum cost-effective technique was used to develop high-quality thin films of SnO 2 and Sb-doped SnO 2 on Soda-lime glass substrates as transparent conductive oxides (TCOs). The surface morphology of the thin films under study was checked by the atomic force microscope. The average particle size and surface roughness of SnO 2 and Sb-doped SnO 2 thin films mainly depend on the Sb doping level. The structural identification of the as-deposited thin films has been investigated by the X-ray diffraction technique (XRD). XRD patterns have confirmed that the as-deposited thin films have a nanocrystalline structure with the tetragonal phase for all thin-film samples. The optical distribution of the transmittance and absorbance has been studied in a wide range of the wavelength (200–2500 nm). The absorption coefficient , optical band gap, and refractive index have been obtained by using the Swanepoel model. The optoelectronic properties for the thin films under study have been evaluated as TCOs films for photovoltaic applications. The sheet resistance and optical conductivity also have been determined for the thin film under investigation depending on the Sb doping level. • Conductive and transparent films can be obtained by cost-effective spray pyrolysis technique and abundant materials. • X-ray diffraction and atomic force microscope showed the nanocrystalline nature of the SnO 2 and Sb doped SnO 2 films. • The transmission, optical band and sheet resistance values confirm the use of these films as a conductive window layer. • The figure of merit values of these films showed a good opportunity to be applicable in thin-film solar cells.