Structural, optical, luminescent and magnetic properties of spray deposited ZnS, ZnS:Mn and ZnS:Cu thin films

摘要

Objectives: The study aims to investigate the structural, morphological, optical, luminescent and magnetic properties of undoped, Mn-doped, Cu-doped ZnS thin films. Method/Statistical analysis: Spray technique is adopted to deposit the films on glass substrates maintained at 400 oC. The deposited films were characterized by various techniques to justify the objectives. Findings: The undoped and doped ZnS thin films exhibit cubic crystal structure with band gap values of ZnS, ZnS:Mn and ZnS:Cu thin films being 3.83, 3.79 and 3.74 eV, respectively. Pure ZnS exhibits diamagnetic behaviour; whereas the ZnS:Mn and ZnS:Cu thin films show paramagnetic and weak ferromagnetic behaviour, respectively. Application/improvements: The presence of blue, green and yellow band emissions and weak ferromagnetism realized for the ZnS:Cu thin film confirms its utility in luminescent devices and spintronic device applications.