Beilstein Arch. 2024, 202450. https://doi.org/10.3762/bxiv.2024.50.v1
Published 22 Jul 2024
This study investigates the effects of annealing on the structural, optical, and gas-sensing properties of ZrO2 thin films deposited by atomic layer deposition (ALD). The films were annealed in a nitrogen atmosphere at 700, 800, and 900 °C. Surface morphology, chemical composition, optical properties, and the film´s response to O2 were evaluated. Results showed that annealing improves surface homogeneity and oxygen sensitivity, highlighting the role of oxygen vacancies in gas sensing efficiency. Photoluminescence and cathodoluminescence spectra revealed that specific color centers, such as oxygen vacancies with trapped electrons, enhance the ZrO2 surface's sensitivity to oxygen. These findings emphasize the relationship between defect structures and material performance in gas sensing applications, offering insights for optimizing ZrO2-based sensors.
Keywords: ZrO2 films; ALD films; Annealing; Thin film sensors; Optical properties
When a peer-reviewed version of this preprint is available, this information will be updated in the information box above. If no peer-reviewed version is available, please cite this preprint using the following information:
Bohórquez, C.; Vazquez-Arce, J. L.; Cuentas-Gallegos, A. K.; Tiznado, H. Beilstein Arch. 2024, 202450. doi:10.3762/bxiv.2024.50.v1
Citation data can be downloaded as file using the "Download" button or used for copy/paste from the text window below.
Citation data in RIS format can be imported by all major citation management software, including EndNote, ProCite, RefWorks, and
Zotero.
© 2024 Bohórquez et al.; licensee Beilstein-Institut.
This is an open access work licensed under the terms of the Beilstein-Institut Open Access License Agreement (https://www.beilstein-archives.org/xiv/terms), which is identical to the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0). The reuse of material under this license requires that the author(s), source and license are credited. Third-party material in this work could be subject to other licenses (typically indicated in the credit line), and in this case, users are required to obtain permission from the license holder to reuse the material.