Synthesis and characterization of one-dimensional nanostructured fluorine-doped tin dioxide thin films

Abstract

This paper describes preparation and characterization of the optically-transparent and electrically conducting thin films of fluoride-doped tin dioxide (FTO) one-dimensional nanostructures and features of the purpose-built, novel and advanced version of spray pyrolysis technique, known as Rotational, Pulsed and Atomized Spray Pyrolysis. This technique allows perfect and simple control of morphology of the nanostructures of FTO layer by adjusting the spray conditions. Effect of the different additives on crystal morphology and texture of the 1-dimensional (1-D) nanostructured FTO thin films is studied. Vertically aligned and well separated nanotubes are easily fabricated using propanone and ethanol as additives. We suggest that propanone additive plays a role to form vertically aligned nanotubes with (101) preferential orientation while (110) face is the predominant plane of well separated nanotubes with ethanol additive. The conductivity of the 1-D nanostructured thin films are also enhanced using the commercial FTO glasses as a substrate.