Synergic effect of Zinc (Zn) precursors on the microstructural, optical and electrical properties of Zinc oxide thin films for solar cell applications

Abstract

Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles, with their inimitable characteristics such as easy synthesis, high selectivity and enhanced cytotoxicity are becoming progressively important candidate in modern applications. In this study, we have systematically investigated the effect of fabrication conditions on the morphological, structural, optical and electrical properties of zinc oxide (ZnO) thin films. It was observed that the change in Zn-precursor leads to the growth of grains structure at the surface of ZnO thin films. Broadly mentioned, two different regions of growth were observed with the change in the Zn precursor medium. The presence of ZnO hexagonal structure wurtzite was confirmed with the help of non-destructive X-ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) showed that the islands of nano-grains started to nucleate into highly stressed, uniform and roughly compact morphology of the ZnO grains structures of the crack-free thin films. The as-fabricated ZnO thin films comprised of micro and nanoparticles grains structures. The electrical properties measurement revealed the decrease in the average resistivity with the change in Zn-precursor solution of the as-fabricated ZnO thin films. The UV–Vis. Spectroscopy showed the optical absorption spectra of the ZnO thin films have maximum transmittance in the visible region i.e. 80 %. Such kind of films characteristics are very important for solar spectra. It was observed that the change in Zn precursor solution has impact on the transmittance properties of the ZnO thin films. This study highlights an environment friendly, low cost and facile roots for the fabrication of ZnO thin films for probable use in solar cells applications.