The Effect of Solution pH on the Properties of Cobalt Oxide Thin Films Prepared by Nebulizer Spray Pyrolysis Technique

Authors

M. Manickam, Thin film laboratory, Department of Physics, Sri Ramakrishna Mission Vidyalaya College of Arts and Science, Coimbatore-641 020, Tamilnadu, India.Follow
V. Ponnuswamy, Thin film laboratory, Department of Physics, Sri Ramakrishna Mission Vidyalaya College of Arts and Science, Coimbatore-641 020, Tamilnadu, India.Follow
C. Sankar, Thin film laboratory, Department of Physics, Sri Ramakrishna Mission Vidyalaya College of Arts and Science, Coimbatore-641 020, Tamilnadu, India.Follow
R. Suresh, Thin film laboratory, Department of Physics, Sri Ramakrishna Mission Vidyalaya College of Arts and Science, Coimbatore-641 020, Tamilnadu, India.Follow
R. Mariappan, Department of Physics, Adhiyamaan college of engineering, Hosur – 635 109, Tamilnadu, India.Follow
J. Chandrasekaran, Thin film laboratory, Department of Physics, Sri Ramakrishna Mission Vidyalaya College of Arts and Science, Coimbatore-641 020, Tamilnadu, India.Follow

Abstract

Single-phase cubic structured Cobalt oxide thin films were deposited on preheated glass substrates by Nebulizer Spray Pyrolysis (NSP) technique with different solution pH. The structural, optical, morphological and electrical properties were investigated. Cubic structured crystallites are detected by XRD pattern with preferential orientation along (220) direction. The transmittance of Co3O4 films increases with the increase of solution pH. The obtained bandgap values of Co3O4 films are found to be in the range 2.105 - 2.347 eV and 1.74 – 1.806 eV for higher and lower energy regions respectively. HRSEM images reveal the different morphologies like sphere-shaped particles, hexagonal shaped particles and coalescence of grains with solution pH. The maximum room temperature electrical conductivity (1.94x10-4 S/cm) is obtained at pH= 6. The electrical conductivity of the Co3O4 films increases with the solution pH upto pH = 6 then decreases for further increase of solution pH.

Recommended Citation

Manickam, M.; Ponnuswamy, V.; Sankar, C.; Suresh, R.; Mariappan, R.; and Chandrasekaran, J. (2016) "The Effect of Solution pH on the Properties of Cobalt Oxide Thin Films Prepared by Nebulizer Spray Pyrolysis Technique," International Journal of Thin Film Science and Technology: Vol. 5 : Iss. 3 , PP -.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.aaru.edu.jo/ijtfst/vol5/iss3/2