Effect of annealing on optoelectronic properties of β-Ni(OH)2 nanoparticles for flexible heterojunction.

Nickel compounds nanoparticles have great potential for optoelectronic devices. In this study, we investigate the structural, morphological, optical, and electrical properties of (PET/ITO/NiO/Ag) and (PET/ITO/ β -Ni(OH) 2 /Ag) heterojunction obtained by chemical bath deposition and spin coating, which are low-cost techniques. The crystal size was obtained by XRD diffraction; the structural analysis showed crystal dimensions in the 2–7 nm intervals. An enhanced conductivity of 0.86 (Ω /cm) and an increment in the lifetime carriers compared with samples without annealing treatment were observed. The I–V characteristics measured at room temperature, the height of the Schottky barriers, were estimated in the range of 0.56–0.60 eV. This method leads to an affordable application in optoelectronic devices. • Facile and cost-effective chemical synthesis is used to obtain Ni(OH) 2 and NiO nanocrystals. • Thermal annealing improved lifetime carriers and photoconductivity of Nickel compunds • Optical studies demonstrates optimal temperature annealing at 300 °C have most desirable optoelectronic properties. • The electrical characterization of (PET/ITO/NiO/Ag) and (PET/ITO/β-Ni(OH) 2 /Ag were analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]