Role of thickness and annealing temperature on the structural ordering in vacuum evaporated antimony selenide thin films

ABSTRACT

Bulk Sb₂Se₃ is prepared by melt quenching technique and from the differential scanning calorimetry, glass transition (T_g) is greater than ⅔ T_c ≈ ⅔ T_m while T_m>T_c. Sb₂Se₃ thin films are deposited on the glass substrates by thermal evaporation technique. Effect of thickness and annealing temperature on the structural, morphological and optical properties are studied. An amorphous to crystalline phase transition is observed from X-ray diffraction when the films are annealed at 200 °C. Structural variation, on the increase in annealing temperature causes the width of localized states to increase and hence reductions in band gaps are obtained.

KEYWORDS:

• Thermal evaporation
• Thickness and annealing temperature
• Structural and optical properties

Acknowledgments

The authors thank DST-FIST and UGC-SAP for financial assistance to Department of Physics of Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Tirunelveli.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

M. Malligavathy Rajakumar

M. Malligavathy Rajakumar received her Ph.D in Department of Physics, Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Tirunelveli.  Her research interest includes Semiconducting thin films, Memory switching, Nanocomposites and Photocatalytic degradation.  She has published more than 10 research articles in International Journals.

R. T. Ananth Kumar

R. T. Ananth Kumar is presently working in Department of Physics, Sree Ayyappa College, Chengannur, Kerala. He has received his Ph.D in Department of Physics, Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Tirunelveli.  His research interest includes Chalcogenide thin films and application towards electrical switching. He has published more than 20 research articles in International Journals.

D. Pathinettam Padiyan

D. Pathinettam Padiyanwas working as a Professor in Department of Physics, Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Tirunelveli. He has more than 25 years of experience in teaching and research field. His research interest is Semiconducting thin films, Resistive switching, Nanomaterials, Titania nanotube array, Hydrogen generation, Photocatalytic degradation, Polymer films with heteropolyanions – Gas sensors, Crystal growth, Lattice defects, Solid solutions and Photoconductivity. He has published more than 100 papers in International / National Journals and conferences.