Chemical spray pyrolysis deposited fluorine-doped zinc oxide thin films: Effect of acetic acid content in the starting solution on the physical properties

Fluorine-doped zinc oxide [ZnO:F] thin solid films have been deposited on soda lime glass substrates using the chemical spray technique. The effect of the acetic acid content in the starting solution on the composition, morphology, and photoluminescent properties of the ZnO:F thin films was studied. The fluorine content in the samples increases as the acetic acid content in the solutions increases. Morphology of the ZnO:F thin films changes drastically with the variation of acetic acid content. The photoluminescence spectra revealed the presence of high defect content in the films, nevertheless similar characteristic emissions, irrespective of the acetic acid content in the starting solution were presented.