Insights into the consequence of (Al-Zn) dual-doping on structural, morphological, and optoelectrical properties of CdO thin films

M Ashikul Haque Naeem; Ahmed Sidrat Rahman Ayon; Md Mintu Ali; Md Ruhul Amin; M Humayan Kabir; Md Abdus Sattar; Samia Tabassum; Md Nurul Huda Liton

doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e26545

Insights into the consequence of (Al-Zn) dual-doping on structural, morphological, and optoelectrical properties of CdO thin films

Heliyon. 2024 Feb 16;10(4):e26545. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e26545. eCollection 2024 Feb 29.

Authors

M Ashikul Haque Naeem¹, Ahmed Sidrat Rahman Ayon¹, Md Mintu Ali¹, Md Ruhul Amin², M Humayan Kabir¹, Md Abdus Sattar², Samia Tabassum³, Md Nurul Huda Liton^{4

5}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Glass & Ceramic Engineering, Rajshahi University of Engineering & Technology (RUET), Rajshahi, 6204, Bangladesh.
² Department of Materials Science & Engineering, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi, 6205, Bangladesh.
³ Institute of Energy Research and Development, Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Dhaka, 1205, Bangladesh.
⁴ Department of Physics, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi, 6205, Bangladesh.
⁵ Department of Physics, Begum Rokeya University of Rangpur, Rangpur, 5400, Bangladesh.

Abstract

The present study explores the structural, morphological, optical, and electrical properties of spray pyrolyzed (Al-Zn) dual-doped CdO thin films. The un-doped and (Al-Zn) dual-doped CdO thin films have been deposited on glass substrate using spray pyrolysis route at 325 °C. The physical properties of the doped samples were analyzed as a function of Zn concentration (2-5 mol%) with constant Al (3 mol%) concentration. XRD analysis confirms the successful incorporation of (Al-Zn) dual-doping into CdO crystal as well as the polycrystalline nature was evident. No phase transitions were apparent from XRD data while revealing the single cubic structure of all the samples. The surface morphology of the samples studied by SEM. It shows the formation of rock-shaped microstructure and the variation of grain size with doping concentrations. Optical analysis was done using UV-vis spectroscopy within the range of 300-1200 nm. Maximum value of transmittance was attained for 3% (Zn-Al)-doped CdO sample. The dual doping exhibits the broadening of band gap values (2.61-3.84 eV) whereas a decrease in extinction coefficient was noticed as a function of Zn doping concentration. Electrical analysis was done using the four-probe method and a high resistivity was seen for higher Zn concentration. Obtained results and precise comparison with some similar films suggested that 2% Zn and 3% Al co-doping can be a suitable candidate for optoelectronic devices.

Keywords: Cadmium oxide thin film; Optoelectrical properties; Spray pyrolysis; Structural properties; Zinc- Aluminium dual-doping.