Effect of Concentration on the Optical and Solid State Properties of CoO Thin Films Deposited Using the Aqueous Chemical Growth (ACG) Method

Sylvester Lekoo Mammah, Fidelix Ekeoma Opara, Friday Barikpe Sigalo, Valentine Benjamin Omobo-Pepple, Fabian Ifeanyichukwu Ezema, Sabastine Chukwuemeka Ezugwu

Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.
Department of Physics and Astronomy, Western University, Canada.
Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Department of Science Laboratory Technology, School of Applied Sciences, Rivers State Polytechnic, Bori, Nigeria.

DOI: 10.4236/ampc.2012.24035                

Abstract

Thin films of Cobalt(II) Oxide were deposited from equimolar concentrations of Cobalt Chloride, and Hexamethylenetetramine on clean glass substrates using the Aqueous Chemical Growth method in order to determine the effect of precursor concentration on their optical and solid state properties. The analytical tools used for the study include, Rutherford Back Scattering (RBS) spectroscopy for elemental analysis and determination of film thickness, X-Ray Difftraction (XRD) for crystallographic structure, a UV-VIS spectrophotometer for optical and other solid state properties and a photomicroscope for photomicrographs. The results indicate that an increase in the concentration of precursor materials makes ACG CoO thin film a better absorber of ultraviolet radiation, a better transmitter of infra-red radiation, a reflector of visible radiation and a material having an increased band gap. The ACG CoO thin film deposited from 0.1 M precursor concentration was found to be a suitable material for the construction of thermographic devices, poultry houses etc. It can also serve as window layer in solar cells among other optoelectronic applications.

Keywords

CoO Thin Film; Aqueous Chemical Growth; RBS; XRD; Optical Properties

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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