Effect of Sr doping on microstructure, morphology, photoluminescence, optical properties and photocatalytic performance of SnO2 thin films
Résumé
In this work, pure and Strontium-doped tin oxide thin films have been successfully prepared by ultrasonic spray pyrolysis technique on silicon and glass substrates. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Atomic force microscopy (AFM), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Raman spectroscopy, Photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL) and UV–Visible spectroscopy. The results revealed polycrystalline nature with rutile tetragonal structure. Doping tin oxide with strontium produce thin films with different levels of porosity, these films in general are composed of faceted grains with growth particles along preferential direction. Increasing in Sr content indicate an increase in the density of oxygen vacancies. All the samples showed a strong absorption in the ultraviolet range. Furthermore, the photocatalytic efficiency of the thin films against methylene blue dye was demonstrated, highlighting the beneficial influence of Strontium incorporation on enhancing photocatalytic performance.