Influence of substrate temperature and solution molarity on CuO thin films' properties prepared by spray pyrolysis

• Published in: Journal of materials science. Materials in electronics 2022-06, Vol.33 (18), p.14702-14710
• Main Authors: Al Ghamdi, Salem D., Alzahrani, Ahmed Obaid M., Aida, M. S., Abdel-wahab, Mohamed Sh
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Chemistry and Materials Science; Copper oxides; Crystallites; Glass substrates; Influence; Investigations; Materials Science; Metal oxides; Morphology; Nanotechnology; Optical and Electronic Materials; Optical properties; Physical properties; Spectrum analysis; Spray pyrolysis; Thin films
• ISSN: 0957-4522; 1573-482X
• DOI: 10.1007/s10854-022-08390-8

In the present work, we have investigated the influence of substrate temperature and solution concentration on copper oxide (CuO) thin film properties deposited by the spray pyrolysis technique. A set of CuO thin films was deposited on glass substrate with various substrate temperatures ranging from 400 to 650 °C at two copper salt molarities. The synthesized films' structure and morphology were characterized by means of X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The optical properties were studied using UV–visible spectroscopy. The obtained results indicate that the substrate temperature is a key parameter controlling CuO films' growth mechanisms and their physical properties. The prepared films are mainly composed of a CuO monophase. The crystallite size is reduced by increasing the substrate temperature.