Synthesis and characterization of tin (IV) oxide thin films

Tin (IV) oxide, SnO 2 films have been successfully synthesized in argon gas using a magnetron sputtering device. The morphology, structure, optical, photoluminescence, and photoresponse features of the samples have been analyzed via field electron scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffractograms, UV–Vis spectrometer, and spectro fluorophotometer. Compact nano grained morphologies with tetragonal structure and high absorbance were obtained. Increasing the annealing temperature led to a slight rise in the bandgap energies of the deposited samples. SnO 2 films exhibited good photoluminescence features with increasing photoresponse with time as the annealing temperature reduced. The films can be potentially applied to optical and solar cell devices. Graphic abstract