The consequence of gadolinium doping on optical and electrical characteristics of CdO film developed by the sol–gel derived screen printing process

Abstract

A sol–gel derived screen printing process was employed to develop a 3% (Gd)-doped CdO film on the glass substrate. X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern endorses that 3% (Gd)-doped CdO film possess cubic structure and polycrystalline nature. The high-intensity peak was observed along (2 0 0) direction and the mean crystallite size were found to be 22.2 nm. SEM (Scanning electron microscope) image shows uniform arrangements of spherical and circular grains in the film. The composition of the gadolinium in developed film was confirmed by EDAX spectra. The UV–Visible spectroscopy shows the transmittance up to 58% and the optical band gap (Eg) value of 2.61 eV for a 3% (Gd)-doped CdO film. The n-type conductivity of film was confirmed by Hall-effect measurement. The electrical resistivity (ρ) and carrier concentration (n) of 3% (Gd)-doped CdO film was found to be (∼3.54 × 10−4 Ω cm) and (∼10.0 × 1020 cm−3).