Influence of Solvents on Properties of ZnS Thin Films Synthesized by Chemical Spray Pyrolysis Technique

Abstract

In this paper, the influence of solvents on the structural, optical, surface and electrical properties of spray -deposited ZnS thin films has been studied. Different precursor mixtures were prepared from ethylene glycol, deionized water and alcohol solvents and sprayed on heated glasses via a simple and cost-effective technique known as spray pyrolysis. XRD patterns confirmed cubic and tetragonal phases of synthesized ZnS material. The optical analysis of the synthesized ZnS films showed that films prepared using ethylene glycol solvent have the highest transmittance and the best bandgap (3.61eV). Surface morphology showed the absence of voids and pinholes in the Scanning Electron Micrograph of ZnS film prepared from ethylene glycol and electrical studies showed that ZnS films prepared using the same solvent have the lowest resistivity.

Keywords: ZnS, Thin film, Spray pyrolysis, Bandgap, Morphology.