Tuning of Optical Properties via Annealing of Bismuth Ferrite (BiFeO3) Thin Films

In this study we are reporting annealing induced optical properties of bismuth ferrite (BiFeO3) thin films deposited on glass substrate via spin coating at 5000 rpm. The structural, optical and surface morphology of BiFeO3 (BFO) thin films have been studied via X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), Optical absorption (UV-Vis) and Photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. XRD spectra confirm annealing induced phase formation of BiFeO3 possessing a rhombohedral R3c structure. The films are dense and without cracks, although the presence of porosity in BFO/glass was observed. Moreover, optical absorption spectra indicate annealing induced effect on the energy band structure in comparison to pristine BiFeO3. It is observed that annealing effect shows an intense shift in the UV-Vis spectra as diffuse absorption together with the variation in the optical band gap. The evaluated optical band gap values are approximately equal to the bulk band gap value of BiFeO3.

Structural, Morphological and Optical Properties of ZnO Thin Films Grown on γ-LiA1O_2 Substrate by Pulsed Laser Deposition

ZnO thin films were deposited on the substrates of （100） γ-LiAlO2 at 400,550 and 700℃ using pulsed laser deposition （PLD） with the fixed oxygen pressure of 20 Pa, respectively. When the substrate temperature is 400℃, the grain size of the film is less than 1μm observed by Leitz microscope and measured by X-ray diffraction （XRD）. As the substrate temperature increases to 550℃, highly-preferred c-orientation and high-quality ZnO film can be attained.While the substrate temperature rises to 700℃, more defects appears on the surface of film and the ZnO films become polycrystalline again possibly because more Li of the substrate diffused into the ZnO film at high substrate temperature. The photoluminescence （PL） spectra of ZnO films at room temperature show the blue emission peaks centered at 430 nm. We suggest that the blue emission corresponds to the electron transition from the level of interstitial Zn to the valence band. Meanwhile, the films grown on γ-LiAl02 （LAO） exhibit green emission centered at 540 nm, which seemed to be ascribed to excess zinc and/or oxygen vacancy in the ZnO films caused by diffusion of Li from the substrates into the films during the deposition.

Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopic Analysis of ZnS Nanorod Fabricated Using Butterfly Wings as Biotemplate

This article describes the growth of zinc sulfide（ZnS） nanorod on glass/aluminum foil by employing butterfly wings as biotemplate. Upon calcinating（at 400 °C）, the butterfly wings soaked in ZnS nanoparticle suspension, with uniform cage-like nanostructures in nanodimensions, were found on glass/aluminum surface. The transverse and longitudinal dimensions of the nanorods were evaluated from scanning electron microscopy micrographs as 132 and 159 nm,respectively. Purity of the ZnS nanorod found on the specimen was checked by recording XRD（28.877°, 48.038°, and57.174°） and Fourier transform infrared spectrometer spectra（663.7 and 551.68 cm^-1）. Luminescence natures of the nanorods were examined using photoluminescence spectral studies. The characteristic emission peak is shown in the visible region with strong intensity, while the excitation peak is shown at 267 nm. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopic analysis of ZnS nanorod exhibits double-layer capacitance value（Cdl= 6.7 nF）, and the Bode plot explains the stability of ZnS nanorod under the influence of electrical field.