Physical, structural and topographical aspects of Zn1−xCoxSe thin films

In the present study, Zn1−xCoxSe (0≤x≤0.275) thin films were synthesized via a chemical route and characterized through the physical, compositional, structural and morphological properties. The change in colour appearance from ash-grey to charcoal-black suggested integration of Co2+ into ZnSe host lattice. Similar conclusions on the colour appearance were drawn from colorimetric studies. The hydrophobic nature of the as-obtained sample surface was revealed in wettability measurements. Zn2+, Co2+ and Se2- states of constituents in the thin films were found in the elemental analysis. Formation of ternary alloy was confirmed by shift in (111) X-ray diffraction peak. The surface topography was analysed by an atomic force microscopy (AFM). A variety of AFM parameters were determined to study the effect of Co2+ addition onto the surface topography. Magnetic mapping of the surface topography concluded the existence of magnetic domains of irregular sizes and shapes.