Novel Spray‐Pyrolysis Deposition of Cuprous Oxide Thin Films

Abstract

Spray pyrolysis of aqueous solutions that include copper(II) acetate, glucose, and 2‐propanol was studied for the formation of cuprous oxide (Cu 2 O) thin films on glass substrates. The deposition conditions, based on the phase relations of the films, were investigated in terms of solution concentration and substrate temperature. Also, the formation process was kinetically discussed. The Cu 2 O thin film obtained here was composed of rounded grains ∼50 nm in size with a surface roughness of ∼30 nm. This film was reddish yellow and showed indirect and direct bandgap energies of 1.95 and 2.60 eV, respectively. Furthermore, the film exhibited p ‐type conduction, with a resistivity of ∼100 Omegacm.