Structural, morphological and optical characterization of Ti-doped ZnO nanorod thin film synthesized by spray pyrolysis technique

Thin films of pure and Ti metal ion doped ZnO were grown on glass substrate by spray pyrolysis for various doping ratios keeping the temperature at 400 degrees C. Impact of Ti doping on morphological, optical and structural properties of ZnO was investigated. Structural confirmation of the thin-film was analyzed by using X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies and it concluded the successful growth of standard thin films of hexagonal wurtzite structure which was polycrystalline in nature. The morphological studies carried out using Scanning Electronic microscope (SEM), endorsed a uniform distribution of grain that are spherical in nature. Composition analysis by energy dispersive spectroscopy showed the presence of Ti, Zn and O in the films. Average grain size was estimated using Scherrer formula and obtained to be in the range of 35 to 50 nm. Atomic force microscopy was used to provide the surface roughness that had increased with the increase of Ti concentration. In the visible region, these films were found to be highly transparent and the average transmittance was obtained to be 85%. Photoluminescence spectral analysis showed a near band edge emission at 397 nm.