Improved electrical, UV detection and emission properties of Zn1-xCuxO nano structured thin films for optoelectronics applications

ZnO oxide is biocompatible and chemically stable material among metal oxides. Zn_1-xCu_xO thin films have been grown with x = 0.0, 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 wt% Cu doping through spin coater technique. Films physical properties such as structural, morphology and optical properties are examined via various characterization techniques. X-ray diffractograms of specimen exhibits clear and intense peak at 2θ angle ∼34.5°, refers the hexagonal wurtzite phase. Films vibrational modes are identified using Raman spectroscopy that is centered at 500 and 1050 cm⁻¹ corresponds to pure hexagonal wurtzite phase of ZnO. Pure ZnO film showed high transmittance∼90 %, after introduction of Cu in ZnO matrix, it become reduced. The room temperature photoluminescence spectra is shown near band edge emission peak along with broad visible emission. Films electrical properties and UV Photoresponse shows the significant improvement upon Cu doping in ZnO lattice. Therefore, Cu incorporated ZnO thin films demonstrates high potentiality towards the optoelectronics applications.