Synthesis and characterisation of ZnS optical thin films through cathodic electrodeposition technique

Abstract

Zinc sulphide (ZnS) thin films were deposited on iridium tin oxide glass by a cathodic electrodeposition technique. The phase compositions, morphologies and optical properties of the prepared thin films were characterised. Both X‐ray diffraction and atomic force microscopy analyses show the growth of ZnS thin films is highly preferential along (200) orientation and the crystallisation of the thin films improves with increasing the solution pH values. The ultraviolet absorption spectra of the films reveal a broad absorption peak ∼300 nm and the bandgap of the as deposited films ranges from 3·42 to 3·71 eV.

Keywords:

• Thin films
• Semiconductors
• Electrochemical techniques
• Optical properties

This work was supported by Programme for New Century Excellent Talents in the University of China (grant no. NCET‐06‐0893), and Doctorate Foundation of Ministry of Education in China (grant no. 20070708001) and the Graduate Innovation Foundation of SUST.