Structural, Morphological, And Electrical Properties Of Zinc-Doped Silver Oxide Thin Films Synthesized By Spray Pyrolysis Method

Abstract

This study investigates the synthesis, characterization, and electrical properties of zinc-doped silver oxide (Ag₂O) thin films produced via the spray pyrolysis method. The films were synthesized with varying zinc doping concentrations (1%, 3%, and 5%) and characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). FTIR and XRD analyses confirmed the successful formation of silver oxide and revealed changes in the crystallinity and phase composition with increasing zinc doping. SEM and TEM images demonstrated that zinc doping led to an increase in grain size and improved film uniformity. DC conductivity measurements showed a significant increase in conductivity with higher zinc doping concentrations, with the highest conductivity observed at 5% doping. The temperature dependence of conductivity followed an Arrhenius behavior, with reduced activation energy at higher zinc concentrations. This study highlights the potential of zinc-doped silver oxide thin films for applications in electronics, sensors, and transparent conductive coatings.