Growth mechanism of single-crystalline NiO thin films grown by metal organic chemical vapor deposition

• Growth of single-crystalline NiO on various substrates was achieved by MOCVD.
• The use of MgO substrates effectively suppressed twin structure formation in NiO.
• The precursor ratio strongly affects the transparency and resistivity of NiO.
• A 900 nm thick film maintained 71% transparency in the visible wavelength range.

Nickel oxide (NiO) thin films were grown by atmospheric-pressure metal organic chemical vapor deposition (APMOCVD). Growth was carried out using various growth parameters, including the growth temperature, the input precursor (O2/Ni) ratio, and the type of substrate material. Effects of the growth parameters on the structural and electrical properties of the films were investigated. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that the crystal structure and quality were strongly affected by the growth temperature and the type of substrate material. At an optimized growth temperature, single-crystalline NiO films were grown on MgO(100) and MgO(111) substrates in a cube-on-cube orientation relationship, while on an Al2O3(001) substrate, the film was grown in the NiO[111] direction. The use of MgO substrates successfully suppressed the formation of twin defects, which have been frequently reported in the growth of NiO. The difference in the formation of the twin defects on MgO and Al2O3 substrates was discussed. It was observed that the resistivity dependence on crystal quality was affected by the choice of substrate material. The effects of the precursor ratio on the transmittance and resistivity of the films were also investigated. Improved transparency in the visible wavelength region and higher conductivity were found in films grown with higher O2/Ni ratios.