Effect of Graphene Oxide on the Structural and Optical Properties of FTO Layers Obtained by Spray Pyrolysis

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Abstract
This study examines the effect of graphene oxide nanoparticle (NGO) doping (0.12–0.24 mol%) on the properties of FTO layers obtained by spray pyrolysis. The results show that nanographene promotes phase separation within the FTO bulk. The resulting inhomogeneities are fluorine-depleted relative to the surrounding film. NGO doping also modifies the position and intensity of peaks in the absorption spectra, indicating a change in the nature of the absorbing centers. The optical bandgap of the FTO layers decreases with the increase in NGO from 4.4 eV (undoped samples) to 3.95 eV (samples with the highest NGO concentration). Furthermore, NGO doping reduces the sheet resistance of the FTO layers. This reduction is attributed to increased charge carrier mobility resulting from passivation of nanocrystallite interfaces by graphene oxide nanoparticles. However, the sheet resistance depends non-monotonically on NGO content, with the lowest value observed at 0.16 mol% NGO. The increase in resistance at higher NGO concentrations is due to enhanced carrier scattering caused by the growing size and number of the phase inhomogeneities within the FTO layer.

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