Structural, optical and electrical properties of transparent conducting hydrophobic cadmium oxide thin films prepared by spray pyrolysis technique

• Contact angle were carried out for the first time for CdO thin film.
• Effect of concentration influences the growth orientation of the CdO thin films.
• Concentrations of Cd ions modify the physical properties of CdO thin films.
• High Transmittance (more than 90%) was observed for CdO thin film.

Cadmium oxide thin films were deposited by spray pyrolysis method on the glass substrate at 300 °C using different concentration of cadmium acetate. X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements show that the coated CdO film belongs to cubic crystal structure with preferential orientation along (1 1 1) direction. Wettability results revealed that the hydrophobic character of CdO thin film is enhanced with increase in the precursor concentrations. The surface morphology and roughness of the films were determined by Atomic Force Microscope (AFM). The average optical transmittance of CdO films in the range 400–800 nm, is about 80%. The resistivity, mobility and carrier concentration of CdO thin films were determined by Hall effect measurement. Photoluminescence (PL) spectra showed a strong emission peak around 590 nm.

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