UV sensitivity enhancement in Fe-doped ZnO films grown by ultrafast spray pyrolysis

The effect of Fe dopant on structural and photosensitivity properties of ZnO thin films have been studied. The Fe-doped ZnO films were fabricated by ultrafast spray pyrolysis for 30 s. As a result, X-ray diffraction analysis demonstrates that the deposited films are polycrystalline with the hexagonal wurtzite structure. Fe doping in the ZnO system provokes not only the decrease of crystallinity and crystallite size (similar to 50% for Fe concentration of 0.5%) but also the increase of interplanar spacing and strain. Surface morphology images show that the grain size of 3% Fe-doped ZnO (67 nm) is smaller than that of the pure ZnO (114 nm). Based on I-V characterizations, Fe doping increases photocurrent as well as UV sensitivity up to 21 times (1.5% Fe) and 70 times (3% Fe) than that of the undoped ZnO. This study is important to improve the functionality of ZnO as a UV photodetector.

Automated summary

The study investigates the influence of Fe doping on the structural and photosensitivity properties of ZnO thin films. It was found that Fe doping decreases crystallinity and crystallite size while increasing interplanar spacing and strain. Additionally, Fe doping significantly enhances photocurrent and UV sensitivity of ZnO thin films, making them more suitable for UV photodetection applications.