Solution based methods for synthesis of tin and zinc; wires and thin films

Abstract: In this work two different solution based methods have been used for synthesis ofoxide-wires and homogeneous heterometallic oxides of transparent conductingmaterials. The first method used is an aqueous chemical growth (ACG) method for synthesis ofmicrorods and nanowires of zinc oxide and tin dioxide useful for detection of toxicgases. No desired films have been obtained but some new interesting structures withnew surfaces at the a,b-plane, especially for zinc oxide where a jagged surface hasbeen observed. For low metal-concentrations of zinc, a band-like structure with 120 °angles has been observed to grow along the a- and b-axis instead of the preferredc-axis. The rod- and wire films have been characterized by SEM and XRD. The other solution-based method used is an inorganic sol-gel type where aheterometallic oxide of 80 mol% zinc and 20 mol% tin manufactured for CIGS solarcells acts as an absorption layer. The alkoxide was prepared by first synthesizing a zincmethoxy-ethoxide solution from diethylzinc and methoxy-ethanol and then mixing itwith tin tert-butoxide to get a heterometallic alkoxide solution. Films and powderhave been prepared either in humidified argon atmosphere or in air and characterizedby SEM, TGA and XRD. The XRD pattern just show the two expected phases of zincoxide and the heterometallic zin-tin oxide which improves the homogeneity of theheterometallic oxide. But the TGA show that some carbonating species formed. This method seems promising for large scale manufacturing of absorption layer toCIGS solar cell for commercially use due to low-cost materials, low temperatures andcheap equipment.