Photoelectrochemical properties of morphology controlled manganese, iron, nickel and copper oxides nanoball thin films deposited by electric field directed aerosol assisted chemical vapour deposition

Abstract

An efficient deposition method of the morphologically controlled oxides of manganese (Mn2O3), iron (α-Fe2O3), nickel (NiO) and copper (CuO) spherical shaped nanoball thin films was developed by an in-house built electric field directed aerosol assisted chemical vapour deposition (EFDAACVD) technique. The Mn2O3, α-Fe2O3, NiO and CuO thin films were grown by using a single source precursor, metal acetate, under the application of an electric field that induces the formation of nanoballs of metal oxide thin films with controlled morphologies. The EFDAACVD-produced metal oxide thin films were characterized by using various suitable analytical characterization techniques. The photoelectrochemical properties of the EFDAACVD-produced Mn2O3, α-Fe2O3, NiO and CuO thin films were investigated in the presence of 0.1M Na2SO4 under illumination of simulated solar irradiation of AM 1.5G (100mW/cm2). The charge transfer dynamics of the thin films were also explored using electrochemical impedance spectroscopic (EIS) technique.