Preprint Article Version 1 Preserved in Portico This version is not peer-reviewed

Surface Behavior of ZnO Films Prepared at Room Temperature

Version 1 : Received: 11 July 2023 / Approved: 12 July 2023 / Online: 12 July 2023 (11:07:58 CEST)

A peer-reviewed article of this Preprint also exists.

Wei, D.-H.; Tong, S.-K.; Chen, S.-C.; Huang, R.-T. The Surface Behavior of ZnO Films Prepared at Room Temperature. J. Compos. Sci. 2023, 7, 335. Wei, D.-H.; Tong, S.-K.; Chen, S.-C.; Huang, R.-T. The Surface Behavior of ZnO Films Prepared at Room Temperature. J. Compos. Sci. 2023, 7, 335.

Abstract

The surface behavior of the ZnO-based films could be modulated via a postannealing and ultraviolet (UV) irradiation with different powers and time, respectively. These present results could provide modulate the microstructure related in grain-size distribution and photocatalytic behavior for potential guide in the field of wide bandgap semiconducting oxides. The ZnO films were prepared onto Corning-1737 glass substrates by using radio-frequency magnetron sputtering without supplying oxygen source at room temperature. For the purpose of obtaining modulable grain microstructures, the as-prepared ZnO films (Z0) were treated via a postannealing modification in vacuum furnace at 300°C for 30 minutes after deposition (Z300) accompanied with the adjustable internal stress. The contact angle (CA) value of ZnO film reduced from 95° to 68° was owning to the different grain microstructure accompanied by a change in size variation. In addition, the UV light with different irradiation powers could also be used to improve the hydrophilicity varied from hydrophobic status to superhydrophilic status due to the desirable surface characteristics of the photocatalytic action. In addition, the photocatalytic activity of ZnO film exhibited efficient photodegradation of methylene blue (MB) under UV irradiation, with a chemical reaction constant of 2.93×10-3 min−1. In this present work, we demonstrated that the CA value of the ZnO films not only caused from hydrophobic to hydrophilic status accompanied by a change in grain size combined with internal stress but also induced by the UV light irradiation combined with photocatalytic activity simultaneously. On the other hand, the enhanced surface plasmonic resonance could be observed that is due to couple electron and photon oscillations and can be generated at the interface between a flat, continuous Pt capping nanolayer. This designed structure could also be considered as a Pt electrode pattern onto ZnO (metal Pt/ ceramic ZnO) for multifunctional heterostructured sensors and devices in near future.

Keywords

surface behavior; internal stress; ultraviolet light power; photocatalytic; heterostructure

Subject

Chemistry and Materials Science, Surfaces, Coatings and Films

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