Sensing properties of sprayed antimony doped tin oxide thin films: Solution molarity

Transparent conductive thin films of nanocrystalline Sb:SnO2 have been deposited onto preheated glass substrates by using spray pyrolysis technique. The effect of the solution molarity on structural, morphological, optoelectronic properties of Sb:SnO2 films has been investigated. XRD study reveals that films are polycrystalline with tetragonal crystal structure having average crystallite size about 20 nm. The compact and homogeneous grains are seen in FESEM images. The BEs of Sn 3d5/2 for all samples show the Sn4+ bonding state for SnO2. The BEs of Sb 3d5/2 are in the range of 530.6–530.9 eV, indicating that all antimony detected is in a pentavalent state (Sb5+). Transparency of films in the visible region decreases with increase in precursor concentration. Photoluminescence study shows the strong violet and weak orange emission. The sensing properties of the Sb:SnO2 films for acetone, ethanol and LPG with operating temperature and gas concentration have been investigated.

Research highlights▶ Synthesis of Sb:SnO2 thin films by spray pyrolysis technique. ▶ Effect of molarity on structural, optical and luminescent properties. ▶ The sensing response for acetone, ethanol and LPG gases of Sb:SnO2 thin films.