Thermal treatment of solution-processed nano-sized thin films of molybdenum oxide

Abstract

A solution based deposition method to form nano-sized thin films of molybdenum oxide suitable for photovoltaic device applications is presented. The samples were deposited by spin-coating from molybdenum metal organic precursor solution on soda lime glass substrates. The influence of the process parameters such as spinning regime and concentration of the precursor solutions on the thickness and morphology of the films were investigated. The thermal decomposition of the molybdenum precursor and oxide formation were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry and characteristic patterns showed transitions up to 300oC followed by a zone of stability. Optical spectroscopy measurements in the wavelength range from 300 to 1800 nm presented an increase in transparency when temperature of annealing was raised up to 400oC. Raman scattering analysis revealed the presence of mixed molybdenum oxides. Measurements of the electrical conductivity were performed by the 4-point method.