Effect of sputtering power and substrate temperature on structural, optical, wettability and anti-icing characteristics of aluminium doped zinc oxide

Thin films of ZnO:Al were synthesized on glass substrates by RF magnetron sputtering. Structural, optical, wettability and anti-icing properties of the thin films are studied as a function of substrate temperature and sputtering power. XRD patterns showed an increase in the intensity of (002) peak when the sputtering power and substrate temperature are increased. The roughness and average grain size also increased with an increment in substrate temperature and sputtering power. Transmittance and band gap energy observed in the wavelength range of 350–800 showed the average transmittance was in the range of 90 to 76% and 3.12–2.88 eV. The contact angle and anti-icing properties observed during the investigation demonstrated that the synthesized coatings are hydrophobic and the formation of ice was delayed when compared to uncoated substrates.