Transparent and conductive F-Doped SnO 2 nanostructured thin films by sequential nebulizer spray pyrolysis

Transparent conductive oxides (TCOs) are a key component in many optoelectronic applications such as solar cells, flat panel displays, sensors, touch screens, light-emitting diodes, frost-resistant surfaces, and smart windows. The high electronic conductivity and high optical transmission are essential properties of TCOs for these applications. Owing to chemical inertness and high-temperature tolerance, F-doped tin oxide (FTO) films have much demand in a variety of electrochemical devices. In this work, transparent and electrically conductive FTO thin films are prepared on soda-lime glass substrates. The films are fabricated by sequential nebulized spray pyrolysis with the help of a homemade low-cost spray gun. The surface morphology of the films is analyzed using scanning electron micrographs (SEMs). It is found that the surface is homogeneous and FTO crystallite sizes are in the order of ~ 10 nm. XRD pattern of the FTO films exhibits 2 θ peaks for corresponding SnO 2 crystal planes at 26.64° (110), 33.90° (101), 37.95° (200), 51.87° (211), 56.17° (200), 60.05° (310), 61.89° (301). The crystallite sizes calculated from XRD data are in agreement with that of SEM. Optical transparency and bandgap energies are evaluated by UV visible spectroscopy. The FTO films with 15 Ω cm −2 sheet resistance were used to prepare quasi-solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells with a TiO 2 photoelectrode. The solar cell showed a ~ 5% energy conversion efficiency with high short-term stability. Graphical abstract