Spin Coated Cadmium Doped Zinc Oxide Thin Films: Preparation, Structural, Optical and Electrical Characterization

Pure and cadmium (Cd²⁺) doped zinc oxide (ZnO) were prepared by programmable microcontroller assisted spin coating unit using organometallic precursor. The pure and doped ZnO thin films were deposited on well glass substrate at 1500 rpm under alkaline condition. 400ºC sintered films were characterized for their structural, morphological, optical and electrical properties using X-ray diffraction method, scanning electron microscopy, UV-visible absorption method and DC measurements respectively. Hexagonal wurtzite phase with multiple faceted growths was witnessed for pristine film. Without alteration in the phase but dopant induced small variation in the position of prominent peaks were shown by Cd doped ZnO thinfilms. The dopant induced island growth and increasing roughness were clearly unveiled via SEM analysis. Variation in the structure and shape of the optical absorption peak reveal the varying crystallite size in accordance with dopant concentration. The electrical measurements showed that the doping process enhance the conducting property of the films. On comparison 6% Cd doped ZnO films exhibit good conductivity than other films.