Lactic acid aided electrochemical deposition of c-axis preferred orientation of zinc oxide thin films: Structural and morphological features

► Lactic acid improves the electrodeposition of c-axis preferred orientation of ZnO films. ► High transmittance in visible light range with a sharp edge below band gap of the ZnO films attained. ► Concentration of zinc nitrate and deposition potential significantly affect the growth direction and crystal diameter of zinc oxide.