Sol–gel production of aluminium doped zinc oxide using aluminium nitrate

Sol–gel synthesis of aluminium doped zinc oxide was performed via a spin coating process through a precursor solution that consisted of zinc acetate, aluminium nitrate and ammonia. The effects of sintering temperature on the optoelectronic properties of the derived films were investigated through scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, photoluminescence, UV–vis spectroscopy and Hall effect measurements. It was found that as the process temperature increases the film changes from a grain-like morphology towards a nanowire structure. This trend is also evident in the presented XRD data. Optical measurements revealed the derived films to be highly transparent with an optical transparency ~92%.