Optimization of Thermal Annealing Conditions to Tailor the Physical Properties of Sol-Gel Derived TiO₂ Nano-films for Optoelectronic Applications

sadiq salman; Haidar Jwad

doi:10.71229/zsxhq318

Authors

Sadiq Jaber Ghadir Salman Department of Physics, College of Education, University of Al-Qadisiyah, Al-Diwaniyah, IRAQ
Haidar Jwad Department of Physics, College of Education, University of Al-Qadisiyah, Al-Diwaniyah, IRAQ.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.71229/zsxhq318

Keywords:

Sol-Gel method,, Spin Coating,, Titanium dioxide thin film,, Electrical conductivity,, Annealing Temperature

Abstract

In this work, titanium dioxide (TiO₂) thin films were prepared using Sol-Gel technique combined with Spin Coating. Thermal treatment of the films was conducted at different annealing temperatures ranging from (525°C) to (700°C) to study the effect of temperature on the structural, morphological, optical, and electrical properties. (XRD) results showed formation of the tetragonal crystalline phase in (TiO₂) thin films with main crystalline peaks appearing at the (101), (200), and (211). As for (FESEM) results showed that the membranes possess a homogeneous nanostructure with a noticeable increase in grain size at certain annealing temperatures due to grain coalescence. EDX analysis confirmed presence of only titanium and oxygen elements, indicating success in the preparation process. The absorption and transmittance spectra showed that thin films have absorption in the ultraviolet region with good transmittance in the visible region. The optical band gap results indicated gradual decrease in band gap values with increasing annealing temperature. Hall effect results showed that the thin films possess (n-type), with increase in conductivity and charge carrier concentration with higher annealing temperatures, while resistivity decreased, indicating improved charge transport within thin films at higher temperatures.

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