Mazhar Mehmood

Effect of thermal annealing on the structural and optical properties of ZnO thin films deposited by the reactive e-beam evaporation technique

Crystalline zinc oxide (ZnO) thin films with highly preferential c-axis-oriented crystals were prepared using the reactive e-beam evaporation technique. Prior to deposition, ZnO targets were prepared from ZnO (99.999%) powder. Post-deposition thermal annealing was performed at various temperatures ranging from 200 to 700 °C for 2 h in air to investigate the effect of annealing on the structural and optical properties. Structural characterization including that of the crystal structure, crystal orientation, phase, stress, strain, grain size and surface morphology was carried out using x-ray diffraction (XRD) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Optical characterization including transmission, absorption coefficient and band gap estimation was carried out using a spectrophotometer. The XRD results showed that the films were highly c-axis oriented before and after annealing. Crystallinity and grain size improved with annealing temperature. AFM results showed that the surface morphology improved with annealing temperature. Optical transmittance increases slightly and the band gap decreases with increasing annealing temperature. The effect of the stress formation during thin film deposition and its variation with post-deposition heat treatment and the effect of this stress on optical properties of the thin films were also studied. The residual compressive stress in as-deposited thin films relaxes with heat treatment and becomes tensile with further increase in annealing temperature. The optical band gap decreases with increasing grain size and decreases with increasing tensile stress.

Nanostructured multilayer TiO2-Ge films with quantum confinement effects for photovoltaic applications

Multilayer TiO(2)-Ge thin films have been deposited using electron beam evaporation and resistive heating. The thickness of the TiO(2) layers is 20 nm, while the thickness of the Ge layers varies from 2 to 20 nm with a step of 2 nm away from the substrate. These films were characterized by studying their optical, electrical, and structural properties. The films were annealed at various temperatures up to 500 degrees C for 2 h. The films are amorphous up to an annealing temperature of 400 degrees C, although Raman spectra suggest short-range ordering (and adjustments). The films annealed at 450 and 500 degrees C exhibit X-ray reflections of Ge and anatase TiO(2). Illumination in sunlight increases the conductivity of the as-deposited and annealed films. The band gap of the amorphous films changes from 1.27 to 1.41 eV up to 400 degrees C; the major contribution is possibly through direct transition. Two band gap regimes are clearly seen after 450 and 500 degrees C, which have been assigned to an indirect band gap at about 1.2 eV and a direct band gap at about 1.8 eV. Conductivity of the multilayer films has been higher than that of pure Ge film. The conductivity increases with annealing temperature with abrupt increase at about 380 degrees C. The results imply that the TiO(2)-Ge multilayer films may be employed as heterojunctions with tunable band gap energy as related to quantum confinement effects.

Optical Characterization of rf-Magnetron Sputtered Nanostructured SnO2 Thin Films *

Tin oxide (SnO2) thin films are deposited by rf-magnetron sputtering and annealed at various temperatures in the range of 100–500 °C for 15 min. Raman spectra of the annealed films depict the formation of a small amount of SnO phase in the tetragonal SnO2 matrix, which is verified by x-ray diffraction. The average particle size is found to be about 20–30 nm, as calculated from x-ray peak broadening and SEM images. Various optical parameters such as optical band gap energy, refractive index, optical conductivity, carrier mobility, carrier concentration etc. are determined from the optical transmittance and reflectance data recorded in the wavelength range 250–2500 nm. The results are analyzed and compared with the data in the literature.

Nanocrystals formation and intense green emission in thermally annealed AlN:Ho films for microlaser cavities and photonic applications

Plasma magnetron sputtered thin films of AlN:Ho deposited on flat silicon substrates and optical fiber were characterized and analyzed for structural changes after thermal annealing at 1173 K for 40 min, by atomic force microscopy (AFM). The films grown, at liquid nitrogen temperature, on silicon substrates were amorphous while those deposited around optical fiber were crystalline. The films were also investigated for any change in the luminescence when thermal activation was performed for 40 min in a nitrogen atmosphere. The AFM analysis identified the existence of crystalline structures in parts of the films after thermal annealing. The x-ray diffraction could not provide those results. The films around optical fiber were crystalline even deposited at liquid nitrogen temperature. Clearly, amorphous films are hard to achieve on smaller substrate size. Direct observation of green emission is possible with naked eye, when the thermally annealed films are studied under cathodoluminescence. The green emissio...

Corrosion behaviour of zinc–nickel alloy coatings electrodeposited in additive free chloride baths

Abstract Corrosion behaviour of nanocrystalline Zn–Ni alloy coatings (with 3 to 18 at-%Ni) electrodeposited on steel substrate from additive free chloride baths by DC plating has been investigated by measurement of open circuit potential with time and neutral salt spray test. The alloy coatings containing up to 16 at-%Ni exhibited an increase in resistance to the appearance of white and red rust with increasing Ni content. The resistance to the appearance of white rust and ability to protect the underlying steel substrate decreased with further increasing Ni content. This has been considered to be due to reduced passivating ability of the alloy coating with a significant rise in the grain size above 50 nm.

Progress on Epoxy/Polyamide and Inorganic Nanofiller-Based Hybrids: Introduction, Application, and Future Potential

ABSTRACT An efficient method to obtain better properties of epoxy-based nanocomposites is to introduce thermoplastic polymer such as polyamide into thermosetting resin. Combined effect of both polymers provides extra-bonding sites for nanofiller dispersion. This review mainly covers inorganic nanofiller dispersed epoxy/polyamide nanocomposite and their applications. To understand interaction between thermoset epoxy and thermoplastic polyamide, knowledge of structure, synthesis, and categorization is worth important. Addition of inorganic nanofiller such as layered silicate and metal oxide results in enhanced thermomechanical, physiochemical, and anticorrosive properties of resultant nanocomposite. These nanocomposites have applications as protective coatings, adhesives, insulators in electrical devices, and in aerospace industries. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Effect of Li addition on microstructure and mechanical properties of Al-Mg-Si alloy

Abstract The ever increasing utilization of Al – Li alloys for light weight structural applications is limited chiefly due to their lower room temperature formability compared to their Li-free counterparts. In the present work, the effect of 1, 2 and 3 wt.% Li addition to Al – Mg – Si alloy (containing 0.5 wt.% Mg and 0.2 wt.% Si) was studied. Experimental work showed that microstructural features of the second phase particles and mechanical properties changed substantially with Li addition. It was observed that 1 wt.% Li addition resulted in significantly large elongation of over 38 % resembling a super-plastic behavior with decent strength and hardness due to the formation of second phase precipitates uniformly dispersed in α (Al) matrix. Scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that the addition of Li promotes the formation of second phase precipitates, which strongly affect the mechanical properties of Al – Mg – Si alloy. Quite surprisingly, the alloys containing 2 and 3 wt.% Li showed a much reduced ductility and a much higher hardness after aging.

Study of TiO2 nano-tubes using electrochemical anodization method for applications in dye-sensitized solar cells

TiO2 nano-tubes are getting strong attraction in many fields due to their unique properties. They are important in biomedical application, Dye sensitized solar cells, sensor and photocatalys is applications, etc. Our prime interest is to grow these tubes for dye-sensitized solar cells with high conversion efficiency and low production cost. In this research, we have synthesized TiO2 naonotubes by anodizing 25 µm thick titanium foil at 40V using two-step anodization method. The electrolyte used is the ethylene glycol with varying concentration of NH4F and fixed concentration of deionized water. Effect of different concentrations of the electrolyte on tube crystal structure has been studied. It is observed that crystallinity increases with increased concentration of fluoride ions. It is found that two-stepanodization method results in more crystalline and open structures. Scanning electron microscopy is utilized to study the surface morphology and tubes growth, whereas observation of the crystal structure of nano-tubes is made by X-ray diffraction.