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Influence of (Ag–Cu) co-doping on the optical, structural, electrical, and morphological properties of ZnO thin films

  • Original Paper: Characterization methods of sol–gel and hybrid materials
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Abstract

In this research, ZnO thin films with different co-doping levels of Ag–Cu were successfully manufactured using the sol–gel method by immersing technique. The impact of (Ag–Cu) co-doping on ZnO films’ structural, morphology, optical, and electrical properties was investigated. XRD patterns revealed all films have crystalline nature with a hexagonal structure. The transmittance (T) and reflectance (R) spectra were employed to estimate numerous optical parameters; the refractive index (n) was also profoundly analyzed to evaluate dispersion parameters and other optoelectronic parameters. We found that adding Ag–Cu as a co-doping in ZnO films enhanced the electrical conductivity, where the band gap energy and sheet resistance are decreased. The results reported in this work may pave the way to manufacture thin films whose optical and electrical properties could be modified. Also, these composite films could be necessary for the fabrication of multifunctional modern optoelectronic and photovoltaic devices.

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Highlights

  • Manufacture of ZnO thin films with different co-doping levels of Ag–Cu using sol–gel method by immersing technique.

  • Impact of (Ag–Cu) co-doping on the physical properties of deposited thin films.

  • The bandgap energy, sheet resistance, and electrical conductivity change their values depending on Ag and Cu contents within ZnO films.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Jordan University of Science and Technology in Jordan for the generous financial and technical support provided by the Deanship of Scientific Research. The authors would like to thank Ahmad Ali Ahmad (Omari) for giving unlimited access to the thin films Laboratory. Our thanks also to M-Ali Al-Akhras for helping to use his biomedical Laboratory.

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  1. Department of Physical Sciences, Jordan University of Science & Technology, P.O. Box 3030, Irbid, 22110, Jordan

    M. K. Alqadi, A. B. Migdadi, F. Y. Alzoubi, H. M. Al-Khateeb & Ahmad A. Almasri

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  1. M. K. Alqadi
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  2. A. B. Migdadi
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  3. F. Y. Alzoubi
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Correspondence to A. B. Migdadi.

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Alqadi, M.K., Migdadi, A.B., Alzoubi, F.Y. et al. Influence of (Ag–Cu) co-doping on the optical, structural, electrical, and morphological properties of ZnO thin films. J Sol-Gel Sci Technol 103, 319–334 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10971-022-05785-1

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