The effects of temperature on the molecular orientation of zinc phthalocyanine films

• Published in: Journal of materials science 2010-03, Vol.45 (5), p.1366-1370
• Main Authors: Gaffo, Luciana, Cordeiro, Márcia R., Freitas, Adonilson R., Moreira, Wania C., Girotto, Emerson M., Zucolotto, Valtencir
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Analysis; Annealing; Atomic force microscopy; Beta phase; Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Chemistry and Materials Science; Classical Mechanics; Crystallography and Scattering Methods; Dielectric films; Glass; Glass substrates; Gold; Gold coatings; Homogeneity; Materials Science; Materials selection; Phase transitions; Phthalocyanins; Polymer Sciences; Solid Mechanics; Technology application; Temperature effects; Thermal stability; Thick films; Thin films; Zinc; Zinc compounds
• ISSN: 0022-2461; 1573-4803
• DOI: 10.1007/s10853-009-4094-3

Phthalocyanine compounds have been widely investigated as candidate materials for technological applications, which is mainly due to their thermal stability and possibility of processing in the form of thin films. In most applications, the controlled growth of thin films with high crystalline quality is essential. In this study, zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPc) thin films were prepared by evaporation on glass and Au-coated glass substrates with subsequent annealing at different temperatures in ambient atmosphere. The morphological and structural features of 80 nm thick zinc phthalocyanine films were investigated, evidencing an α → β phase transformation after annealing the films at 200 °C, as indicated by UV–Vis spectroscopy and FTIR analyses. A better uniformity of the annealed films was also evidenced via AFM analysis, which may be of importance for applications where film homogeneity and excellent optical quality are required.