Evaluation of Nd-Loaded SnO2:F Films Coated Via Spray Pyrolysis

Abstract

Thin layers of single (F)- and double (F/Nd)-incorporated tin oxide have been coated on glass substrate via spray pyrolysis. The structural, morphological, electrical, and optical features of F-incorporated samples were evaluated depending on the Nd loading. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that samples had tetragonal tin oxide structure with (211) and (200) preferential directions. The crystallite size and strain values varied from 37.98 nm and 1.21 x 10(-3) to 52.12 nm and 1.88 x 10(-3). Scanning electron microscopy analysis showed that the samples consisted of pyramidal, polyhedral, and needle-shaped granules. The lowest sheet resistance value of 1.22 Omega was found for 1.8 at.% Nd + 25 at.% F-coloaded SnO2. However, the widest optical bandgap of 4.01 eV was observed for the single 25 at.% F-loaded sample. The Urbach tail and figure of merit also changed in the ranges of 664 meV to 1296 meV and 6.4 x 10(-2) a"broken vertical bar(-1) to 2.3 x 10(-3) a"broken vertical bar(-1), respectively. The results presented herein indicate that the character of F-doped tin oxide films can be controlled by Nd loading and that these films could be useful for technological applications.