Synthesis and characterization of pure ZnO and La-doped ZnO (Zn0.98La0.02O) films via novel sol-gel screen- printing method

In present work ZnO and Zn0.98La0.02O films were synthesized by sol-gel screen -printing method on glass substrate. The prepared films were investigated by XRD, SEM, EDAX, UV-vis and two probe methods for structural, optical and electrical properties. The X-ray diffraction results showed that the films were polycrystalline with hexagonal wurtzite structure and had preferred growth of grains along the (100) crystallographic direction. SEM images of pure ZnO and doped Zn0.98La0.02O films indicate the porous and unsymmetrical distribution of grains. The EDAX spectra showed the successful incorporation of La ions with ZnO lattice. The band gap of the films was determined through UV-vis Spectroscopy. It is observed that band gap increases with La doping. The electrical conductivity measurement was carried out via two probe method which reveals the semiconducting behavior of the films.