A nanosized crack-free thin film of ZnO synthesis by AACVD method for photoelectrochemical green hydrogen production
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2025
Abstract
A mononuclear single source zinc precursor Zn (OAc)2 (dmae)2] (dmae = N, N dimethylaminoethanol, OAc = acetate) (I), was synthesized using vacuum line and glove box technique and used for the fabrication of zinc oxide (ZnO) thin films via aerosol assisted chemical vapour deposition technique (AACVD). The precursor (I) was characterized structurally, morphologically, and optically using XRD, FESEM and UV-visible spectroscopy. Zn (OAc)2 (dmae)2] (I) having low decomposition temperature besides excellent solubility in organic solvents makes it a perfect precursor for producing ZnO thin films. The structural analysis confirmed the growth of crystalline and single-phase ZnO thin film. The morphological analysis confirmed the presence of uniformly distributed grains of ZnO on the surface of the substrate. The optical properties were examined using an optical spectrometer in a range between 200 and 700 nm. The XRD analysis of the synthesized ZnO film on fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) reveals its crystalline nature, with a distinct hexagonal wurtzite structure. Moreover, EDX confirmed the presence of oxygen and Zn peaks and FESEM analysis revealed the presence of a uniform, homogeneous, and consistent ZnO thin layer on the FTO substrate. Additionally, Tauc's calculation was engaged to estimate the energy band gap of the deposited film of ZnO, revealing a value of approximately 3.45 eV. Likewise, the water splitting was carried out for green hydrogen production via photoelectrochemical (PEC) measurements, revealing a notable enhancement in photocurrent when exposed to 150 W halogen light with active potential windows of 0 - 1.5 Vin contrast to the dark condition.
Keywords
Zinc oxide, Aerosol-assisted chemical vapour deposition, Thin film, Fluorine tin oxide substrates, Photoelectrochemical, Green hydrogen
Divisions
CHEMISTRY
Funders
OCP, Morocco group (175)
Publication Title
International Journal of Hydrogen Energy
Volume
100
Publisher
Elsevier
Publisher Location
THE BOULEVARD, LANGFORD LANE, KIDLINGTON, OXFORD OX5 1GB, ENGLAND