Effects of Sintering Atmosphere on The Optical, Thermal and Electrical Properties of Inkjet Printed ZnxCu(1-x)Fe2O4 Thin Films

Abstract

The effects of sintering atmosphere on the optical, thermal, and electrical properties of inkjet-printed ZnxCu(1-x)Fe2O4 thin films have been investigated. The thin film samples were sintered separately in vacuum and oxygen. The obtained samples were then characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), optical band gap, electrical conductivity, Seebeck coefficient, and thermal conductivity. XRD analysis showed that the fabricated samples have a cubic spinel structure of zinc copper ferrite regardless of the sintering atmosphere. The electrical conductivity of ZnxCu(1-x)Fe2O4 thin films sintered in oxygen was about 5 % higher compared to ZnxCu(1-x)Fe2O4 thin films sintered in vacuum. The optical band gap shows that the samples sintered in oxygen had a smaller bandgap compared to samples sintered in vacuum. The electronic band structure simulated through ABINIT shows ZnxCu(1-x)Fe2O4 is an indirect band gap material. A smaller electronic bandgap was observed in O2 rich condition and was in agreement with the optical band gap and electrical conductivity test results. The Seebeck coefficient of ZnxCu(1-x)Fe2O4 thin films sintered in oxygen remained positive, confirming charge transport by hole carries as p-type semiconductors. A change from p-type to n-type semiconductors was observed when ZnxCu(1-x)Fe2O4 thin films sintered in vacuum.