Al-doped ZnO nanofilms: Synthesis and characterization

Abstract

Al-doped and un-doped ZnO nanofilms on quartz substrate were obtained by ultrasonic spray pyrolysis of salt solutions (mole concentration of Al within 0-10%). The films were characterized by Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Atomic force microscopy (AFM) and UV spectroscopy to study the morphology and optical properties. The optical studies showed that the increase in Al within ZnO thin layer increases its band gap energy. The obtained value of band gap energy is very close to the determined oscillation energy. However, the dispersion energy is nearly half of band gap energy value. © 2010 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.