Discriminate Crystallinities of Tin Doped Indium Oxide Films on Self-Assembled Monolayers Modified Glass Substrates

Abstract

Tin doped indium oxide (ITO) films have generated tremendous research interest and received widespread applications in optoelectronic devices due to a good combination of desired optical and electrical properties. Their electrical properties vary depending on the crystallinity of the film. A good quality ITO film should have low resistivity, which can be achieved with highly crystalline films deposited at very high temperature. Thus, film quality is sensitive to the deposition conditions. Generally, low-temperature deposition of ITO results in poor quality films due to amorphous growth. In this study, we have demonstrated that crystallinity of the ITO films can be improved even at room temperature (RT) using self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) modified glass substrates. The present study demonstrates that SAM with -SH terminal group is necessary for the high-quality ITO growth, while SAMs with other terminal groups (-NH(2) and -CH(3)) generate ITO films with moderate crystallinity. Various properties of such films were investigated using X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron depth profile, four-point probe, and Hall measurements. It is confirmed from such measurements that ITO film deposited on -SH terminated SAM substrate has excellent crystallinity, conductivity, and optical transmission.

Marked improvement in the stability of small molecule organic photovoltaics by interfacial modification using self-assembled monolayers to prevent indium diffusion into the active layer

“…30 On the other hand, the self-assembled monolayer (SAM) technique has been extensively studied owing to the fact that such a technique provides a unique opportunity to manipulate the physical and chemical properties of a variety of substrate surfaces. 31,32 For instance, the modulation of consequent Fermilevel pinning by SAMs affects the electrical and electronic properties of the underlying substrate materials. 33 SAMs can also alter other physical properties, such as the surface energies and chemical reactivities of substrates.…”

Improving the Efficiency of ZnO-Based Organic Solar Cell by Self-Assembled Monolayer Assisted Modulation on the Properties of ZnO Acceptor Layer

“…The SAM technique, which was developed recently to improve the quality of thin films of transparent conducting oxides under ambient conditions at room temperature, 9,10 provides a unique opportunity to manipulate the physical and chemical properties of the surfaces of a variety of substrates. 11−13 As a result of the change induced in the substrate's surface properties, crystal growth on SAM-functionalized surfaces can be controlled.…”

“…The SAM technique, which was developed recently to improve the quality of thin films of transparent conducting oxides under ambient conditions at room temperature, , provides a unique opportunity to manipulate the physical and chemical properties of the surfaces of a variety of substrates. − As a result of the change induced in the substrate’s surface properties, crystal growth on SAM-functionalized surfaces can be controlled. − Moreover, fabricating small molecular SAMs between a metal/semiconductor junction affects the intrinsic charge transport through that interface, because the electrical properties of metal/semiconductor junctions can be manipulated depending on the dipole moment of the functional group and the backbone of the SAM molecule on the substrate. − …”

Self-assembled monolayers induced inter-conversion of crystal structure by vertical to lateral growth of aluminium doped zinc oxide thin films

“…6,8 Recently, a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) technique has been applied to improve the quality of thin films at ambient conditions. 10 The SAM technique provides a unique opportunity to manipulate the physical and chemical properties of surfaces on a variety of substrates including SAMs on various TCOs. 11 As a result of change in surface energy, crystal growth on SAM functionalized surfaces can also be controlled, exhibiting an excellent nucleation site for different crystals.…”

“…Unlike the electrical properties of ITO films, the changes in the texture of the AZO films have little impact on their electrical behavior. 10,18 However, dopants concentration and their positions in the crystal lattice dominate the electrical properties. 1 that both % doping and (002)/(103) peak intensity ratio play a crucial role in electrical properties.…”