Investigation of ZnO Thin Films Prepared by Spray Pyrolysis for UV Photodetector Applications

Abstract

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation poses significant health risks and environmental concerns, necessitating advanced detection methods. This study explores the fabrication of zinc oxide (ZnO) thin films on silicon and glass substrates using the spray pyrolysis technique, optimized through careful control of deposition parameters including spray nozzle-substrate distance, deposition temperature, and solution concentration. The deposited ZnO films were utilized to develop UV photodetectors. Spray pyrolysis, known for its simplicity and cost-effectiveness, enabled the uniform deposition of ZnO films. Optical and structural properties were characterized using UV-Visible spectrophotometry and X-ray diffraction (XRD), respectively. The study specifically investigated the UV detection properties of the ZnO films. Results demonstrate that the ZnO-based photodetectors exhibited high sensitivity and response to UV light. Electrical conductivity measurements further validated the films' suitability for UV photodetection applications. This research highlights the efficacy of spray pyrolysis in producing ZnO thin films with tailored properties for UV photodetection, suggesting their potential in areas such as environmental monitoring and UV-related health assessments.