Physico-chemical, optical and electrochemical properties of iron oxide thin films prepared by spray pyrolysis

• Published in: Applied surface science 2006-12, Vol.253 (4), p.1823-1829
• Main Authors: Dghoughi, L., Elidrissi, B., Bernède, C., Addou, M., Lamrani, M. Alaoui, Regragui, M., Erguig, H.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0169-4332
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apsusc.2006.03.021

Iron oxide thin films were prepared by spray pyrolysis technique onto glass substrates from iron chloride solution. They were characterized by X-ray diffractometry (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and (UV-vis) spectroscopy. The films deposited at T(s) < 450 deg C were amorphous; while those produced at T(sub) = 500 deg C were polycrystalline alpha-Fe2O3 with a preferential orientation along the (1 0 4) direction. By observing scanning electron microscopy (SEM), it was seen that iron oxide films were relatively homogeneous uniform and had a good adherence to the glass substrates. The grain size was found (by RX) between 19 and 25 nm. The composition of these films was examined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and electron probe microanalysis (EPMA). These films exhibited also a transmittance value about 80% in the visible and infrared range. The cyclic voltammetry study showed that the films of Fe2O3 deposited on ITO pre-coated glass substrates were capable of charge insertion/extraction when immersed in an electrolyte of propylene carbonate (PC) with 0.5 M LiCLO4.