Abstract
In this report, an automated nebulizer spray pyrolysis (NSP) route was chosen to prepare pure NiO and (1%- Er, Tb, Pr) RE doped NiO thin films samples on glass slides at 450 °C using nickel chloride as a source. Through systematical investigation their microstructure (XRD), surface morphology (FESEM), composition (EDX), optical (UV-Vis absorption and photoluminescence), UV photoconduction (Keithly source meter 2450) information were obtained. The face centered cubic structure occupying the space group (Fm3m) of NiO thin films was confirmed without any impurity phase through X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. Also, the effect of (1%- Er, Tb, Pr) RE doping with NiO on the crystallite size confirms that the higher ionic radii Pr-doped NiO sample possess a higher crystalline size of 31 nm. The morphological studies show that the pure and RE doped with NiO thin film samples possess highly dense cloudy spherical morphology. UV studies show that the Pr doped NiO sample exhibits higher absorption and lower bandgap of 3.49 eV. The emission peaks related to the presence of defect sites were studied through the PL analysis showing higher recombination centers occur for the Pr-doped NiO sample suggesting the sample possesses a higher carrier concentration. The fabricated pure and (1%- Er, Tb, Pr) RE doped NiO thin film photodetectors were analyzed through I-V, photo sensing parameters, and transient characteristics. The results show that the Pr-doped NiO photodetector sample possesses higher photocurrent, better responsivity (3.45 ×10−1 AW−1), detectivity (1.20 ×1010 Jones), EQE (81%), and the photo transient characteristics shows better response and repeatability of the photodetector samples under varying UV light intensities (1–5 mW/cm2). From the photo sensing results, it is confirmed that the Pr doped NiO photodetector sample can be better suited for the application of photodetectors.
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•Fabrication of Er, Tb, Pr rare earth metal ion doped of NiO thin films.•The morphological studies show that the samples possess highly dense cloudy spherical morphology.•The PL spectra analysis showing higher recombination centers occur for the Pr-doped NiO sample.•The Pr-doped NiO sample possess better responsivity (3.45 ×10−1 AW−1), detectivity (1.20 ×1010 Jones), EQE (81%).•The Pr doped NiO sample can be better suited for the application of photodetectors.