M. Haj Lakhdar

A study of optothermal and AC impedance properties of Cr-doped Mn{sub 3}O{sub 4} sprayed thin films

Highlights: • Outlining adequacy an original combination of several characterization means. • Structural, optical, thermal and electrical properties have been studied. • Opto- thermal analysis shows that band gap can be tuned through Cr doping. • Outlining physical properties for an eventual development of sensing components. - Abstract: Chrome-doped Mn{sub 3}O{sub 4} thin films were grown on the glass substrates by the spray pyrolysis technique at 350 °C. XRD diffraction and Raman spectroscopy analysis revealed that all samples have tetragonal spinel structure with a preferred orientation along the direction (1 0 1). Absorption coefficient has been measured using both transmission and mirage effect. The band gap energy decreases from 2.2 to 1.9 eV with Cr content while Urbach energy value increases from 354 to 473 meV. Also, thermal conductivity was evaluated. Finally, physical properties have been evaluated and discussed in terms of alteration of the band gap edges, electrical patterns and mirage effect.