Characteristic analysis of nanostructured Cl-doped CdO thin films – doping effect

Abstract

Thin films of chlorine-doped cadmium oxide (CdO) with different Cl doping concentrations (0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 at.-%) have been deposited on glass substrates by employing spray pyrolysis technique using perfume atomiser. The effect of Cl doping on the properties of the films was investigated. XRD (X-ray diffraction) patterns revealed that all the films are polycrystalline in nature having cubic structure with a preferential orientation along the (1 1 1) plane irrespective of Cl-doping level. Electrical studies showed that a minimum sheet resistance of 2.95 × 10⁵ Ω sq^− 1 is observed for the film coated with 6 at.-% Cl. Improved optical transparency, widened band gap and reduced resistivity obtained make CdO:Cl films suitable for optoelectronic device applications, especially as window layer for solar cells.

Keywords:

• Crystal structure
• Preferential orientation
• X-ray diffraction
• Optical band gap
• Electrical studies

Acknowledgements

The authors are thankful to the Head, Department of Chemistry and Mr. Gowtham, Gandhigram Rural Institute, Dindugal for the SEM and EDAX measurements.