Effect of Niobium Dopant on ZnO Thin Films Prepared via the Sol-gel Spin Coating Method

• Published in: MAKARA JOURNAL OF SCIENCE
• Main Authors: Eswar, Kevin Alvin; Rostan, Nur Fairuz; Mohamad, Maryam; Akhir, Rabiatuladawiyah Md; Rasmidi, Rosfayanti; Guliling, Muliyadi; Azhar, Najwa Ezira; Buniyamin, Irmaizatussyehdany; Malek, Mohd Firdaus; Mahmood, Mohamad Rusop; Suhaimi, Husairi Fadzilah; Abdullah, Saifollah
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: UNIV INDONESIA 2025
• Subjects: Science & Technology - Other Topics
• Online Access: https://www-webofscience-com.uitm.idm.oclc.org/wos/woscc/full-record/WOS:001440330500001
• ISSN: 2339-1995; 2356-0851
• DOI: 10.7454/mss.v29i1.2297

Thin films of zinc oxide (ZnO) and niobium (Nb)-doped ZnO were deposited on a glass substrate using the sol-gel spin coating method. Diethanolamine, isopropyl alcohol, and zinc acetate served as the stabilizers, solvent, and starting material, respectively. Niobium pentachloride was employed as the dopant source. Energy-dispersive X-ray analysis confirmed Nb incorporation. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis) analyses characterized the morphology, structure, and optics of the films, respectively. Both films, comprising nanoparticles, were visible in FESEM. Nb doping reduced the particle size from 44.2 nm to 35.8 nm. The XRD peaks at 31.23 degrees, 33.48 degrees, and 35.7 degrees indicate the (100), (002), and (101) orientations, respectively. Nb-doped ZnO exhibited enhanced visible-range transmission in UV-Vis analysis. However, UV spectrum transmission significantly decreased. Nb doping reduced the optical bandgap of ZnO from 3.30 eV to 3.27 eV.