Abstract
Neodymium doped zinc sulphide (Nd: ZnS) thin films were coated on glass substrates at 450 °C through low cost nebulizer spray pyrolysis (NSP) method. Structure, morphology, opto-electrical characteristics of Nd doped ZnS films with various Nd doping concentrations (0%, 1, %, 3% and 5%) were studied. X-ray diffraction patterns revealed that all coated films were polycrystalline hexagonal structure with (102) as a preferential direction. SEM images showed smooth and uniform spherical grains without any cracks and pinholes. Topological view by AFM described the increasing of roughness of the film through doping concentration. EDAX and Elemental mapping images confirmed the presence of Zn, S and Nd without any other impurities. Raman spectra reveals that E1(LO), 2TO, 2LO and 3LO emission modes with corresponding to the wave number. PL spectra showed high intense visible and broad UV emission band at 463 nm and 397 nm, respectively. Thickness of the films increased with Nd doping concentration reflecting the reduction of transparency of the films from 86% to 78% for 0% and 5% of Nd. UV–Vis Spectrum was used to study the energy gap (Eg), dielectric constant(ε), refractive index(n), and extinction coefficient (k) of the prepared films. Four-point probe method was used to calculate the activation energy of Nd: ZnS thin films from the graph drawn between ln (ρ) and (1/T).
•Nd:ZnS/glass thin films were coated through low cost nebulizer spray pyrolysis method•SEM mapping and EDX spectra confirm the Nd doped ZnS films with homogeneity.•PL spectra contains intense visible and broad UV emission band at 463 nm and 397 nm, respectively.•High optical transparency was found which is in range from 78 to 86%.•The Ea values are 0.17, 0.13, 0.10 and 0.08 eV, corresponding to 0, 1, 3 and 5% Nd.