Deposition geometry effect on structural, morphological and optical properties of Nb2O5 nanostructure prepared by hydrothermal technique

This work aims to explain the effect of substrate position and deposition angle on the structural, optical, and morphological properties of niobium pentoxide (Nb2O5) thin films prepared by hydrothermal technique. Three different surface morphologies, namely flake-, rod-, and spring-like nanostructures, were obtained using three sample holders with different geometries. X-ray diffraction results confirm the formation of polycrystalline rod-like Nb2O5 highly oriented in the direction of (-402) plane. The direct optical energy gaps at the different deposition geometries varied from 2.9 to 3.4 eV.