Role of pH in aqueous alkaline chemical bath deposition of lead sulfide thin films

Abstract

Present letter describes the influence of pH on an aqueous alkaline chemical bath deposition of PbS thin films. Uniform adherent thin films of brownish gray color with diffused metallic luster were deposited (pH = 10.5 ± 0.1, deposition temperature = 80 °C and deposition time = 60 min). As-deposited thin films were then examined for composition, crystallographic aspects, and microstructure by techniques; such as EDAX, XRD and SEM respectively. Crystalline nature of deposited PbS thin films was proved by XRD and SEM analysis. From EDAX analysis it is observed that at a pH = 10.5 average ratio of Pb/S is 1.05, which indicates that product composition is at an approximate ratio of 1:1.