Peer-Reviewed Journal Details
Mandatory Fields
Salaun, A;Hamilton, JA;Iacopino, D;Newcomb, SB;Nolan, MG;Padmanabhan, SC;Povey, IM;Salaun, M;Pemble, ME
2010
September
Thin Solid Films
The incorporation of preformed metal nanoparticles in zinc oxide thin films using aerosol assisted chemical vapour deposition
Validated
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Optional Fields
NOBLE-METAL GOLD PARTICLES SILICON CVD
518
6921
6926
The feasibility of Aerosol Assisted Chemical Vapour Deposition (AA-CVD) has been investigated for the growth of zinc oxide (ZnO) films containing preformed metal nanoparticles. The deposition parameters were first established for ZnO thin films, by varying the heating configuration, substrate temperature and deposition time. Films were characterised using Scanning Electron Microscopy and X-Ray Diffraction. As-deposited films, grown at 250 degrees C, were mostly amorphous and transformed to highly crystalline Wurtzite ZnO at higher substrate temperatures (400-450 degrees C). A change in the preferential orientation of the films was observed upon changing (i), the substrate temperature or (ii), the heating configuration. Following this, the applicability of the AA-CVD process for the incorporation of preformed nanoparticles (platinum and gold) in ZnO thin films was investigated. It was found that surface agglomeration occurred, such that the ZnO films were capped with an inhomogeneous coverage of the metal. These layers were characterised using Transmission Electron Microscopy and Electron Diffraction. A possible mechanism for the formation of these metal surface clusters is presented. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
LAUSANNE
0040-6090
10.1016/j.tsf.2010.07.051
Grant Details