CTAB and acetic acid effect in the nanocrystallite growth of spray deposited CdO thin films

[Display omitted] •Spray deposited CdO thin films were polycrystalline in nature.•Morphological studies show the transformation of closely packed spherical to porous nanocrystallites.•CTAB added CdO thin film show greater optical transparency of 95% in the visible region. CdO thin films were deposited on glass substrates from cadmium acetate dihydrate along with precursor additives, acetic acid and CTAB using home built splay pyrolysis unit. XRD studies imply that the CdO thin films to be preferably oriented in the (111) plane. The Williamson–Hall plot indicates the presence of microstrain, especially high with acetic acid additive. Surface morphology was found to be closely packed spherical crystallite with precursor additives. Optical studies reveal a considerable change in the transmittance and band gap. Peak position is shifted in the Raman spectra, due to precursor additives.