Improved magnetic and photocatalytic properties of spray deposited (Li plus Co) codoped CdS thin films

Undoped, Li -doped and (Li + Co) codoped CdS thin films were spray deposited using perfume atomizer. All the films crystallizes with hexagonal structure and they show a (0 0 2) preferential growth. The crystallite size value of pure CdS decreased with Li doping and (Li + Co) codoping. The surface morphology of pure CdS significantly modified with Li doping and (Li + Co) co doping. Nanoneedles were observed for the (Li + Co) codoped CdS thin film. The existence of the elements Cd, S, Li and Co in the codoped film was ascertained from the XPS spectra. Optical band gap of pure CdS decreased from 2.47 eV to 2.43 eV with Li doping and with Co codoping it increased to 2.51 eV. Decreased electrical resistivity was observed for the Li -doped and (Li + Co) codoped films. Improved magnetic property was observed for the (Li + Co) codoped thin film which was ascertained from the presence of well defined hysteresis loop. Photocatalytic tests showed that the (Li + Co) codoped CdS thin film exhibited a maximum photodegradation efficiency of 81.25% against metanil yellow under visible light irradiation.