Effect of Black Velvet Tamarind Doping on the Optical and Structural Properties of Sol-Gel Grown ZnS Thin Film Crystals

Uchechukwu Anthony Kalu¹ , Okpala Uchechukwu Vincent² , Okereke Ngozi Agatha³ , Nwori Augustine Nwode⁴

1. Dept. of Physics/Electronics, Abia State Polytechnic, Aba, Abia State, Nigeria.
2. Dept. of Industrial Physics, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Uli, Anambra State, Nigeria.
3. Dept. of Industrial Physics, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Uli, Anambra State, Nigeria.
4. Dept. of Industrial Physics, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Uli, Anambra State, Nigeria.

Section:Research Paper, Product Type: Journal-Paper
Vol.9 , Issue.12 , pp.1-9, Dec-2023

Online published on Dec 31, 2023

Copyright © Uchechukwu Anthony Kalu, Okpala Uchechukwu Vincent, Okereke Ngozi Agatha, Nwori Augustine Nwode . This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
 

View this paper at   Google Scholar | DPI Digital Library

XML View     PDF Download

How to Cite this Paper

125 Views    173 Downloads    65 Downloads

Abstract :
In this work black velvet tamarind doped ZnS thin films were grown using sol-gel method. Sodium silicate, tartaric acid, zinc nitrate (Zn source) and thiourea (S source) were the main starting materials, while solution drops of locally prepared grounded black velvet tamarind shell was used as dopant. The grown thin film crystals of ZnS and VT-doped ZnS were characterized for their optical and structural properties to determine their possible area of opto-electronic applications. The results of the characterizations showed that the grown thin films have high value of absorbance and percentage reflectance in the VIS and NIR regions. The refractive index of the films was also found to be high, in the range of 12.0-20.0, while the percentage transmittance is low but increased with an increase in wavelength. The bandgap energy of the films decreased as the number of VT drops increased. The values obtained from Tauc plots are 3.0, 2.93, 2.81 and 2.70 eV for un-doped ZnS, 1 drop VT/ZnS, 2 drops VT/ZnS and 3 drops VT/ZnS films respectively. The films have crystalline structures and the crystallite size, dislocation density and micro-strain are influenced by VT doping. The EDS results indicated that the target elements Zn and S in addition to O are present in the samples. These properties possessed by the deposited thin films made them good for opto-electronic applications such as photovoltaic cell, LEDs, waveguide, solar collector, fiber-optics etc.

Key-Words / Index Term :
Sol-Gel, Velvet Tamarind, Zinc Sulfide, Bandgap, Photovoltaic Cells

References :
[1]. A.M. AL-Diabat, N.M. Ahmed, M.R. Hashim, K.M. Chahrour, M. Bououdina, “Effect of deposition temperature on structural and optical properties of chemically sprayed ZnS thin films,” Procedia Chemistry, Vol.19, pp.485-491, 2016.
[2]. H.R. Dizaji, A.J. Zavaraki, M.H. Ehsani, “Effect of thickness on the structural and optical properties of ZnS thin films prepared by flash evaporation technique equipped with modified feeder,” Chalcogenide Letters, Vol.8, Issue 4, pp.231-237, 2011.
[3]. V.K. Ashith, K.G. Rao, “September). Structural and optical properties of ZnS thin films by SILAR technique obtained by acetate precursor,” In IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, Vol.360, Issue 1, pp.1-6, 2018.
[4]. A. Djelloul, M. Adnane, Y. Larbah, T. Sahraoui, C. Zegadi, A. Maha, B. Rahal, “Properties study of ZnS thin films prepared by spray pyrolysis method, Journal of Nano and Electronic Physics,” Vol. 7 Issue 4, 040451 – 5, 2015.
[5]. M.T. Man, H.S. Lee, “Influence of substrate activation process on structural and optical properties of ZnS thin films,” Current Applied Physics, Vol.15, Issue 7, pp. 761-764, 2015.
[6]. P. Krishnamurthi, E. Murugan, “Effect of layer thickness on the structural and optical properties of chemically sprayed Zns thin films,” Journal of current pharmaceutical research, Vol.11 Issue 1, pp.38-42, 2013.
[7]. M. Balachander, M. Saroja, M. Venkatalachalam, V. Kumar, S. Shankar, “Structural and Optical Properties of Zinc Sulfide Thin film prepared by sol-gel Spin Coating method.” International Journal of Chemical Concepts, Vol.2, Issue 2, pp 65-69, 2016.
[8]. T.A. Safeera, N. Johns, E.I. Anila, “Effect of anionic concentration on the structural and optical properties of nanostructured ZnS thin films,” Optical Materials, Vol.58, pp.32-37, 2016.
[9]. T.K. Pathak, V. Kumar, V., Purohit, H.C. Swart, R.E. Kroon, “Substrate dependent structural, optical and electrical properties of ZnS thin films grown by RF sputtering,” Physica E: low-dimensional systems and nanostructures, Vol.84, pp. 530-536, 2016.
[10]. K.H. Maria, P. Sultana, M.B. Asfia, “Chemical bath deposition of aluminium doped zinc sulphide thin films using non-toxic complexing agent: Effect of aluminium doping on optical and electrical properties,” AIP Advances, Vol.10, Issue 6, pp.1-10, 2020.
[11]. S.O. Mezan, A.H. Jabbar, M.Q. Hamzah, A.N. Tuama, N.N. Hasan, M.A. Agam, “Synthesis and Characterization of Zinc Sulphide (ZnS) Thin Film Nanoparticle for Optical Properties,” Journal of Global Pharma Technology, Vol.10, Issue 7, pp.369-373, 2018.
[12]. P. Krishnamurthi, E. Murugan, “Effect of layer thickness on the structural and optical properties of chemically sprayed Zns thin films,” Journal of current pharmaceutical research, Vol.11, Issue 1, pp.38-42, 2013.
[13]. J.A. Hoy-Benítez, R.A. Colina-Ruiz, J.S. Lezama-Pacheco, J.M. de León, F.J. Espinosa-Faller, “Local atomic structure and lattice defect analysis in heavily Co-doped ZnS thin films using X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy,” Journal of Physics and Chemistry of Solids, Vol.136, pp.109154, 2020.
[14]. R.M. Davies, D.D. Yusuf, “Studies of physical and mechanical properties of velvet tamarind,” MAYFEB Journal of Agricultural Science, Vol.2, pp.36-43, 2017.
[15]. S. O. Onyia, T. O. Uchechukwu, O. Ogbobe, “African black velvet tamarind (Dialium guineense) as a green adsorbent for groundwater remediation,” Journal of Bioscience and Biotechnology Discovery, Vol.4, Issue 6, pp.124-132, 2019.
[16]. S. Ummartyotin, N. Bunnak, J. Juntaro, M. Sain, H. Manuspiya, “Synthesis and luminescence properties of ZnS and metal (Mn, Cu)-doped-ZnS ceramic powder,” Solid State Sciences, Vol.14, Issue 3, pp.299-304, 2012.
[17]. S. Wang, S.B. Mirov, V.V. Fedorov, R.P. Camata, Synthesis and spectroscopic properties of Cr-doped ZnS crystalline thin films. In Solid State Lasers Xiii: Technology and Devices, Vol.5332, pp.13-20, 2004.
[18]. E.A. Karhu, C.R. Ildstad, S. Poggio, V. Furtula, N. Tolstik, I.T. Sorokina, U.J. Gibson, “Vapor deposited Cr-doped ZnS thin films: towards optically pumped mid-infrared waveguide lasers,” Optical Materials Express, Vol.6, Issue 9, pp.2947-2955, 2016.
[19]. N.A.A. Mohd Arif, C.C. Jiun, S. Shaari, “Effect of annealing temperature and spin coating speed on Mn-doped ZnS nanocrystals thin film by spin coating,” Journal of Nanomaterials, Vol.2017, pp. 1-6.
[20]. S.H. Mohamed, “Photocatalytic, optical and electrical properties of copper-doped zinc sulfide thin films,” Journal of physics D: applied physics, Vol.43, Issue 3, pp.0354061-8, 2010.
[21]. D. Talantikite-Touati, H. Merzouk, H. Haddad, A. Tounsi, “Effect of dopant concentration on structural and optical properties Mn doped ZnS films prepared by CBD method,” Optik, Vol.136, pp.362-367, 2017.
[22]. A.J. Jebathew, M. Karunakaran, K.D.A. Kumar, S. Valanarasu, V. Ganesh, M. Shkir, A. Kathalingam, “Effect of novel Nd3+ doping on physical properties of nebulizer spray pyrolysis fabricated ZnS thin films for optoelectronic technology,” Physica B: Condensed Matter, Vol.572, pp.109-116, 2019.
[23]. AJ. Jebathew, M. Karunakaran, M. Shkir, H. Algarni, S. AlFaify, A. Khan, T. Alshahrani, “High sensitive samarium-doped ZnS thin films for photo-detector applications,” Optical Materials, Vol.122, pp.111649 1-9, 2021.
[24]. I. Lopez-Quintas, E. Rebollar, D. Ávila-Brande, J.G. Izquierdo, L. Bañares, C. Díaz-Guerra, M. Martín, “Femtosecond double-pulse laser ablation and deposition of Co-doped ZnS thin films,” Nanomaterials, Vol.10, Issue 11, pp.2229, 2020.
[25]. H.Q. Xie, Y. Chen, W.Q. Huang, G.F. Huang, P. Peng, L. Peng, T.H Wang, Y. Zeng, “Optical Characteristics of La-Doped ZnS Thin Films Prepared by Chemical Bath Deposition,” CHIN. PHYS. LETT. Vol.28, Issue 2. pp.1-4, 2011.
[26]. M.A. Sayeed, H.K. Rouf, K.M.A. Hussain, “Doping and annealing effects on structural, optical and electrical characteristics of Sn-doped ZnS thin film,” Materials Research Express, Vol.8, Issue 8, pp.1-18, 2021.
[27]. A.N. Nwori, L.N. Ezenwaka, I.E. Ottih, N.A. Okereke, N.L. Okoli, “Study of the Optical, Structural and Morphological Properties of Electrodeposited Copper Manganese Sulfide (CuMnS) Thin Films for Possible Device Applications,” Trends in Sciences, Vol.19, Issue 17, pp.5747-5747, 2022.
[28]. I. Af?in Kariper, S. Özden, F.M. Tezel, “Optical properties of selenium sulfide thin film produced via chemical dropping method,” Optical and Quantum Electronics, Vol. 50, pp. 1-7, 2018
[29]. L.N. Ezenwaka, A.N. Nwori, I.E. Ottih, N.A. Okereke, N.L. Okoli, “Investigation of the Optical, Structural and Compositional Properties of Electrodeposited Lead Manganese Sulfide (PbMnS) Thin Films for Possible Device Applications,” Nanoarchitectonics, pp.18-32
[30]. I.L. Ikhioya, S. Ehika, N.N. Omehe, “Electrochemical deposition of lead sulphide (PbS) thin films deposited on zinc plate substrate,” Journal of Materials Science Research and Reviews, Vol.1, Issue 3, pp.1-11, 2018.
[31]. A. Ohwofosirai, M.D. Femi, A.N. Nwokike, O.J. Toluchi, R.U. Osuji, B. A. Ezekoye, “A study of the optical conductivity, extinction coefficient and dielectric function of CdO by successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) techniques,” American Chemical Science Journal, Vol.4, Issue 6, pp.736-744, 2014.
[32]. N.L. Okoli, L.N. Ezenwaka, N.A. Okereke, I.A. Ezenwa, A.N. Nwori, “Investigation of Optical, Structural, Morphological and Electrical Properties of Electrodeposited Cobalt Doped Copper Selenide (Cu(1-x) CoxSe) Thin Films,” Trends in Sciences, Vol.19, Issue 6, pp.5686-5686, 2022.
[33]. T. Chanthong, W. Intaratat, T.N. Wichean, “Effect of Thickness on Electrical and Optical Properties of ZnO: Al Films,” Trends in Sciences, Vol.20, Issue 3, pp.6372-6372, 2023.
[34]. M.S. Bashar, R. Matin, M. Sultana, M., Siddika, M. Rahaman, M.A. Gafur, F. Ahmed, “Effect of rapid thermal annealing on structural and optical properties of ZnS thin films fabricated by RF magnetron sputtering technique,” Journal of Theoretical and Applied Physics, Vol.14, pp.53-63, 2020.
[35]. S. Devesa, A.P. Rooney, M.P. Graça, D. Cooper, L.C. Costa, “Williamson-hall analysis in estimation of crystallite size and lattice strain in Bi1.34Fe0.66Nb1.34O6.35 prepared by the sol-gel method,” Materials Science and Engineering: B, Vol.263, pp.1-8, 2021.
[36]. S.K. Sen, U.C. Barman, M.S. Manir, P. Mondal, S. Dutta, M. Paul, M.A. Hakim, (2020). “X-ray peak profile analysis of pure and Dy-doped ?-MoO3 nanobelts using Debye-Scherrer, Williamson-Hall and Halder-Wagner methods,” Advances in Natural Sciences: Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Vol.11, Issue 2, pp.1-11, 2020.
[37]. A.N. Nwori, L.N. Ezenwaka, I.E. Ottih, N.A. Okereke, N.L. Okoli, “Study of the Optical, Electrical, Structural and Morphological Properties of Electrodeposited Lead Manganese Sulphide (PbMnS) Thin Film Semiconductors for Possible Device Applications. Journal of Modern Materials, Vol.8, Issue 1, pp.40-51, 2021.
[38]. P.L. Gareso, H. Heryanto, E. Juarlin, P. Taba, “Effect of Annealing on the Structural and Optical Properties of ZnO/ITO and AZO/ITO Thin Films Prepared by Sol-Gel Spin Coating,” Trends in Sciences, Vol.20, Issue 3, pp.6521-6521, 2023.
[39]. M. Rabiei, A. Palevicius, A. Monshi, S. Nasiri, A. Vilkauskas, G. Janusas, (2020). “Comparing methods for calculating nano crystal size of natural hydroxyapatite using X-ray diffraction,” Nanomaterials, Vol.10, Issue 9, pp.1-21, 2020.
[40]. A. Mukherjee, P. Mitra, “Characterization of Sn doped ZnS thin films synthesized by CBD,” Materials Research, Vol.20, pp.430-435, 2017.
[41]. H.J. Lee, M.M.A. Gamel, P.J. Ker, M.Z. Jamaludin, Y.H. Wong, J.P. David, “Absorption Coefficient of Bulk III-V Semiconductor Materials: A Review on Methods, Properties and Future Prospects,” Journal of Electronic Materials, Vol.51, Issue 11, pp.6082-6107, 2022.
[42]. U. Jabeen, T. Adhikari, S.M. Shah, D. Pathak, V. Kumar, J.M. Nunzi, A. Mushtaq, (2019). “Synthesis, characterization and photovoltaic applications of noble metal—doped ZnS quantum dots” Chinese Journal of Physics, Vol.58, pp.348-362, 2019.
[43]. U.V. Okpala, “Synthesis and Characterization of Local Impurities doped Lead Chloride (PbCl2) Crystal in Silica Gel”, Advances in Applied Science Research, Vol 4, issue 1, pp. 477-487, 2013.
[44]. T.C. Iwueze, U.V. Okpala, C.C. Onuchukwu, “Growth and Optical Property of Un-doped and Oil Bean Doped Tin II Oxide”, World Journal of Innovative Research (WJIR), Vol 8, issue 5, pp. 14, 2020.