Properties of CdxZn1-xO thin films and their enhanced gas sensing performance

CdxZn1-xO(0 ≤ x ≤ 0.20) thin films with different Cd concentrations were successfully deposited on glass substrate using spray pyrolysis technique. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX) were used for structural, surface morphological and compositional characterization. The XRD analysis revealed that the synthesized films were hexagonal in structure with (002) orientation. The SEM studies confirm the formation of homogeneous and uniform films. Optical transmittance and electrical conductivity of the films were evaluated using UV-Visible spectroscopy and two probe method respectively. The optical studies showed that the CdxZn1-xO thin films have optical transmittance in entire visible region. The resistivity of undoped films were very high and it decreases with addition of cadmium. The gas sensing properties were investigated at optimal temperature of 350 °C for various volatile organic compounds like acetone, ethanol and methanol. The CdxZn1-xO thin films with 10 at. % cadmium concentration showed the sensitivity of 50% for 1 ppm ethanol.