Comparison of ZnS thin films fabricated by electrodeposition and spray pyrolysis methods

Abstract

In this study, ZnS thin films were fabricated using an electrodeposition method from an aqueous electrolytic bath on a molybdenum (Mo) substrate and a spray pyrolysis method on a glass substrate. The potential range in which alloy electrodeposition of Zn and S could be carried out in a solution containing ZnSO₄, Na₂S₂O₃ and Na₃C₆H₅O₇ was determined by cyclic voltammetry. It was revealed that the thin film fabricated by the electrodeposition method was of ZnS and ZnO compounds and its microstructure was porous. The thin film prepared by the spray pyrolysis was smooth, with nano-grains. The band gap of the thin film fabricated by the spray pyrolysis was 3.72 eV, which was higher than that for the thin film fabricated by electrodeposition: 3.64 eV. Finally, the thin film fabricated by the spray pyrolysis was pure ZnS with a hexagonal structure, whereas that by electrodeposition was of ZnS (with a cubic structure) and ZnO compounds.