Electrical conductivity of Zn2SnO4 thin films along with wettability and EtOH-sensing

Zinc stannic oxide Zn2SnO4 (ZTO) thin films have been successfully synthesized with spray pyrolysis method. These films were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and impedance spectroscopy. XRD study shows that Zn2SnO4 films crystallizes in cubic structure with a preferred orientation of the crystallites along (311) direction. TEM observations display uniform in shape and particle size of as-prepared Zn2SnO4. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) images reveal a rough surface morphology. The electrical conductivity, conduction mechanism, relaxation model of these films were carried out with impedance spectroscopy technique in the frequency range 10 Hz - 13 MHz at various temperatures (380 degrees C-450 degrees C). The ethanol sensing performance of Zn2SnO4 films has been investigated with two different concentrations in air at operating temperatures varying from 175 degrees C to 250 degrees C and shown a good response at low temperature T = 225 degrees C. Moreover, the hydrophobic investigations have been carried out in terms of water contact angle and reveals that the Zn2SnO4 thin films have a hydrophobic nature. Finally, the photoluminescence measurements, carried out at room temperature show three peaks located at 374, 461 and 528 nm respectively. The latest results have been discussed in terms of the wettability measurements of such films. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.