A nanocrystalline hematite film prepared from iron(III) chloride precursor

This paper deals with a simple and low-cost method developed to deposit hematite (α-Fe2O3) layers on a fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO/F:SnO2) substrate by thermal decomposition of solid iron(III) chloride hexahydrate (FeCl3⋅ 6H2O). Deposition procedure takes place through chemical intermediate iron(III) oxide chloride (FeOCl) film. A crucial influence of atmosphere dynamics involved in the calcination process of FeOCl has been observed. As-deposited films were characterized by means of Conversion Electron Mössbauer Spectroscopy (CEMS), Grazing Angle X-Ray Diffractometry (GAXRD), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis. Final nanocrystalline hematite film with a cactus-field-like design consists of 20 nm thick porous crystal plates. A process of hematite doping by tin atoms from substrate coating is also discussed.