Review on Transparent Conductive Oxides Thin Films deposited by Sol-gel spin coating technique

Year 2018, Volume: 2 Issue: 3, 88 - 97, 27.09.2018

Oluwaseun Adedokun

Abstract

The discovery of
transparent conducting oxides, TCO’s, has been a major breakthrough across
electro-optical industries as significant durability, portability and
flexibility of products have been achieved without compromising the efficiency
and cost effectiveness of such product. Indium tin oxide, ITO, being the most
widely used has shown appreciable performance with its high transmittance range
of values coupled with high conductivity. Its toxic nature and continuous
scarcity in the earth crust has however raised a concern, thereby necessitating
an urgent need for adequate and effectual alternatives. With some of these
alternatives already in use, the method applied in the preparation of TCO thin
film is another factor that affects its performance. Sol-gel spin-coating
method being one of the many deposition methods available is of great
importance due to its simplicity and relatively low cost. This study therefore,
seek to appraise the performance of aluminium-doped tin oxide (ATO),
fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) and aluminium-doped zinc oxide (AZO) as
sustainable alternatives to ITO with focus on spin-coated thin film.

Keywords

Sol-gel, spin coating, transparent conducting oxide, transmittance, electrical conductivity, thinfilms

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