Structural, optical and electrical properties of tin oxide thin films by electrostatic spray deposition

Tin oxide (SnO2) thin films were deposited by electrostatic spray deposition (ESD). The structural, optical and electrical properties of the films for different solvents were studied. The morphology of the deposited thin films was investigated by scanning electron microscopy. The optical transmission spectra of the films showed 66–75% transmittance in the visible region of spectrum. The electrical resistivity of thin films deposited using the different solvents ranged 1.08 × 10−3–1.34 × 10−3 Ω-cm. Overall, EG and PG were good solvents for depositing SnO2 thin films by the ESD technique with stable cone jet.

► SnO2 thin films have been deposited using the different viscous solvent by electrostatic spray deposition. ► The operating conditions that yield the most uniform layer and low resistivity was used to deposit SnO2 thin films. ► The electrical resistivity of thin films deposited using the different solvents ranged 1.08 × 10−3–1.34 × 10−3 Ω-cm.