Zinc Oxide Hybrid Thin Films Development and their Morphological and Optical Characterization

Organic-inorganic hybrids have attracted substantial attention because of the potential of combining distinct properties of organic and inorganic components within a single molecular composite. Organic materials offer structural flexibility, convenient processing, tunable electronic properties, photoconductivity, efficient luminescence, and the potential for semiconducting and even metallic behaviour. Inorganic compounds provide the potential for high carrier mobilities, band gap tunability, a range of magnetic and dielectric properties, and thermal and mechanical stability. In addition to combining distinct characteristics, new or enhanced phenomena can also arise as a result of the interface between the organic and inorganic components. In case of hybrid thin film; material deposition on self-assembled monolayer (SAM), a chemical reaction may take at the interface, depending upon the organic functional group (OFG) of SAM, which can greatly affect the morphology of deposited thin films. This change in surface morphology can affect the physical properties of the deposited thin films. Organicinorganic hybrids provide a range of exciting opportunities for use in electronic and optical devices as well as for the observation of interesting physical phenomena. These can be applied to develop novel devices like bio/chem, optical sensors along with many other applications. From the fundamental and application point of view, the thorough investigation of physical properties of these new classes of hybrid structures is very important. In this project, we will synthesize and study the optical properties of hybrid thin film ZnO deposition on SAM. Our main emphasis will be on the development of hybrid thin film by depositing ZnO on SAM with different OFG and we would like to study change in optical properties of the deposited ZnO. Substrate dependent change in physical properties of deposited thin film is well known in the field of thin films. However, in case of thin film deposition on SAM interface can be highly reactive as compare to conventional interface of inorganic materials. The effect on optical properties of ZnO by depositing it on different types of SAMs will be studied. Our preliminary results of such films demonstrated very interesting changes in optical properties, like wavelength shift in absorption band and morphology of the deposited films. Hybrid optical film in combination with SAMs can be very different from conventional multilayer optical thin films as chemical reaction may take place between deposited thin film and organic functional group (OFG) of SAMs depending upon OFG of SAMs. Change in optical response of thin films with SAM on the top has been reported by different researchers. But ZnO thin films on top of SAMs and multilayer hybrid structures have not been reported to the best of our knowledge. In this project, hybrid thin film using sputtering process will be developed and their morphological (using AFM, SEM/TEM) and optical properties using photo-spectrometer will be investigated. Most of the experimental facilities to execute this project are available in physics department and CENT at KFUPM. This project will help us to build up strong foundation in the important area of hybrid thin films. Long term aim of the project is to develop skilled manpower and transfer of technology in fast emerging field of hybrid nanastructures. Furthermore this project will open many opportunities to collaborate with faculty members within physics and other departments like chemistry. Currently research team members have excellent experience in growth of such structures and optical characterization in general. The proposed project would be completed in 1.5 years.