The effect of NHF and NHOH on the structure and physical properties of thin SnO films synthesized by the sol-gel method.

Undoped films and films with the addition of NHF and NHOH have been prepared by layer precipitation of solutions on glass substrates by sol-gel technology with the use of centrifugation. It has been shown via X-ray diffraction that all films under study are composed of SnO nanocrystals. Measurements of surface resistance confirmed the presence of fluorine atoms in the films that were prepared from the solutions with NHF. Scanning electron microscopy has demonstrated the formation of a dendrite structure and an increase in film porosity with the addition of NHF and NHOH to the film-forming solution. Addition of NHF and NHOH to the solution has resulted in the increase of the gas sensitivity of the films; however, it has been accompanied by a decrease in film transparency and the disappearance of interference peaks in the transmittance spectra. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]