Influence of deposition temperature on Sm₂S₃ thin films fabricated by liquid phase deposition method on self-assembled monolayers

Abstract

Sm₂S₃ thin films were prepared on Si (100) substrates using SmCl₃ and Na₂S₂O₃ as precursors by a liquid phase deposition process on self-assembled monolayers. The influence of the deposition temperature on the phase composition, surface morphology and optical property of the as deposited films was investigated. Results show that it is important to control the deposition temperature during the deposition process, and well crystallised Sm₂S₃ thin films with orientation growth along (103) direction can be achieved when the deposition temperature is 80°C. The as deposited thin films exhibit a plate-like morphology and a layer by layer growth. Good transmittance in the visible spectrum and excellent absorbency of ultraviolet light of the thin films are observed. The as deposited thin films also exhibit red photoluminescence (PL) properties under visible light excitation. With increasing temperature in the deposition solution, the PL properties of the as deposited Sm₂S₃ thin films are obviously improved.

Keywords:

• Sm₂S₃
• Self-assembled monolayers
• Liquid phase deposition
• Thin films
• Deposition temperature
• Optical properties

Acknowledgements

This work has been supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (grant no. 50942047), the Natural Science Foundation of Shaanxi Province of China (grant nos. 2010JM6001 and 2010JM6017), the International Science and Technology Cooperation Project of Shaanxi Province (grant no. 2011KW-11) and the Graduate Innovation Foundation of Shaanxi University of Science and Technology.