Investigation of structural, optical and luminescent properties of sprayed N-doped zinc oxide thin films

N-doped ZnO (NZO) thin films are synthesized via spray pyrolysis technique in aqueous medium treating zinc acetate and N,N-dimethylformamide as precursors. Influence of N doping on structural, optical and luminescence properties have been investigated. Films are nanocrystalline having hexagonal crystal structure. Raman analysis depicts an existence of NZnO structure in NZO thin film. XPS spectrum of N 1s shows the 400 eV peak terminally bonded, well screened molecular nitrogen (γ-N2). Lowest direct band gap of 3.17 eV has been observed for 10 at% NZO thin film. The UV, blue, and green deep-level emissions in photoluminescence of NZO films are due to Zn interstitials and O vacancies.