Effect of processing parameters on physical properties of cadmium stannate thin films prepared by a dip-coating technique

Thin films of dicadmium stannate spinel (Cd2SnO4) were deposited on glass substrates using a dip-coating technique. The Films were transparent to visible light (90%) and electrically conductive. X-ray diffractometry showed that annealed films consisted of a single cubic spinel phase only when they were prepared from a solution with the composition of Cd:Sn = 2.5 and fired at a temperature of 400 degrees -500 degreesC, The Cd:Sn ratio, the firing temperature, and the post-deposition annealing sequence were crucial for the formation of a single phase, which is vital to obtain optimal optical and electrical properties. A resistivity as low as 3.3 x 10(-4) Omega .cm could be obtained after annealing,