Growth and Characterization of (Tb,Yb) Co-Doping Sprayed ZnO Thin Films

oleh: A. El hat, I. Chaki, R. Essajai, A. Mzerd, G. Schmerber, M. Regragui, A. Belayachi, Z. Sekkat, A. Dinia, A. Slaoui, M. Abd-Lefdil

Format: Article
Diterbitkan: MDPI AG 2020-03-01

Deskripsi

Structural, optical and electrical properties of (ytterbium/terbium) co-doped ZnO thin films deposited on glass substrates using the spray pyrolysis method were investigated. The films exhibited the hexagonal wurtzite structure with a preferential orientation along (002) direction. No secondary phase was observed in the X-ray diffraction detection limit. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) was performed and root means square roughness (RMS) of our samples decreased with terbium content. Photoluminescence measurements showed a luminescence band at 980 nm which is characteristic of Yb<sup>3+</sup> transition between the electronic levels <sup>2</sup>F<sub>5/2</sub> to <sup>2</sup>F<sub>7/2</sub>. This is experimental evidence for an efficient energy transfer from the ZnO matrix to Yb. Hall Effect measurements gave a low electrical resistivity value around 6.0 &#215; 10<sup>&#8722;3</sup> &#937;.cm. Such characteristics make these films of interest to photovoltaic devices.