Investigation of Nanostructured Thin Films Using Scanning Electron Microscopy Technique
Investigation of Nanostructured Thin Films Using Scanning Electron Microscopy Technique |
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| © 2025 by IJETT Journal | ||
| Volume-73 Issue-2 |
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| Year of Publication : 2025 | ||
| Author : Ho Soonmin, Ejikeme Ezo Igbokwe |
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| DOI : 10.14445/22315381/IJETT-V73I2P103 | ||
How to Cite?
Ho Soonmin, Ejikeme Ezo Igbokwe, "Investigation of Nanostructured Thin Films Using Scanning Electron Microscopy Technique," International Journal of Engineering Trends and Technology, vol. 73, no. 2, pp. 22-38, 2025. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.14445/22315381/IJETT-V73I2P103
Abstract
Temperature sensors, optoelectronic devices, laser devices, optical waveguides, and solar cells are just a few applications for thin films. Sputtering, chemical bath deposition, electro deposition, pulsed laser deposition, vacuum evaporation, thermal evaporation, spray pyrolysis, e-beam evaporation, chemical vapor deposition, and spin coating were some of the techniques used to deposit these films. The obtained films could be characterized by means of transmission electron microscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy, UV-visible spectroscopy, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction, Raman spectrometry, Rutherford Backscattering spectrometry, and energy dispersive X-ray analysis. By using a concentrated electron beam to scan the sample surfaces, the SEM technique could create images. These electrons must interact with the atoms (in the produced films), generate various signals, and carry crucial data like composition and surface topography. The specimens could be identified in a variety of settings (high, low, or moist), and the SEM could achieve resolution better than one nanometer. Based on a chosen literature review, the prepared films' morphology was reported in this work. It was demonstrated that the conditions had a significant impact on the grain's size, thickness, and shape. An extended deposition time results in a more pronounced distribution of larger and denser grains that blanket the substrate. It happens because the atoms within the smaller grains possess sufficient energy to diffuse and create a larger grain. Due to this diffusion among grains, leading to a reduction in the boundary between grains and porosity, ultimately yielding a smoother look on the surface of the thin film.
Keywords
Thin films, Solar cells, Scanning Electron Microscopy, Morphology, Photovoltaic, Energy efficiency, Energy consumption.
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