Microstructure, wettability and optical characteristics of ZnO/In2O3 thin films

Zinc oxide (ZnO) thin films were prepared using thermal oxidation of zinc metallic films deposited by vacuum evaporation. The structure of the as-obtained ZnO films was investigated by X-ray diffraction technique and atomic force microscopy. Investigations revealed that ZnO thin films were polycrystalline and have a hexagonal (wurtzit) structure. The structural parameters depend on the oxidation conditions. The wettability of the films was studied and was observed that under UV-irradiation the ZnO films become super-hydrophilic. Optical properties of the films were investigated and it was observed that, in visible domain, optical transmittance ranged between 85 and 95% and optical reflectance is less 15%.