Temperature effects on ZnO electrodeposition

A thermochemical study of the temperature effects on the Zn-Cl-H2O system by means of potential-pH, solubility and species repartition diagrams is presented with the view to better understand the effect of temperature on the deposition mechanism and composition of zinc oxide thin films. These calculations have been completed by film preparation at different temperatures between room temperature and 90 degrees C. Below 34 degrees C, we observe the absence of continuous film growth and surface passivation. The oxide nucleation and film growth start above 34 degrees C, whereas the optimum film transparency and crystallinity is obtained from 40 degrees C. Above, the main effect of the temperature is to raise the film texturation with the c-axis perpendicular to the substrate surface. (c) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.