Investigation of structural, optical and electrical properties of a new cobalt phthalocyanine thin films with potential applications in perchlorate sensor

• We studied the optical properties of a new cobalt phthalocyanine derivative.
• We investigate the electrical and dielectrical properties of ITO/Co(II)Pc-AP/Al diode structure.
• The impedance measurements were modeled by an equivalent electrical circuit.
• Co(II)Pc-AP molecule shown an important sensitivity toward perchlorate anion.

Optical, structural and electrical properties of new cobalt phthalocyanine derivatives (Co(II)Pc-AP) thin films have been investigated. The Raman spectroscopy study shows the different vibrations bands corresponding to the metallophthalocyanine. The cobalt-phthalocyanine derivative films exhibit absorption spectra with a resolved electronic structure in the UV–vis range and the energy gap was determined by the Tauc method. Electrical properties of the ITO/Co(II)Pc-AP/Al structure have been investigated by I–V characteristics and impedance spectroscopy measurements. The conduction is governed by space-charge-limited current (SCLC) mechanism. The impedance spectroscopy study showed a hopping transport process, which is a typical behavior of disordered materials. The electrical characteristics of the devices were modeled by a single parallel resistor and capacitor network in series with a resistance.