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Interface-Controlled ZnO/SnO₂ Heterostructured Pellets for Tunable Optical Properties

Paper ID:
IJSDIP_2020_VOLUME 8_ISSUE 3_30-37
Author's Name:
Dr. Arindam Ghosh
Volume:
8
Issue:
Issue 3
Year:
2020
Pages:
30-37

Abstract

Tuning the optical properties of metal oxide semiconductors remains a key challenge in materials science, particularly for optoelectronic and sensing applications. Although ZnO and SnO₂ are widely studied for their wide band gaps, chemical stability, and favourable electronic properties, the influence of controlled interfacial engineering on their combined optical behaviour in bulk heterostructured systems is not yet fully understood. This limitation restricts the ability to design materials with precisely adjustable optical responses using simple fabrication methods. This study aimed to investigate the role of interface formation in modifying and tuning the optical properties of ZnO/SnO₂ heterostructured pellets. An experimental approach was adopted in which pellets with varying compositions (ZnO:SnO₂ = 100:0, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75, and 0:100) were synthesised under controlled conditions with sintering temperatures ranging from 500°C to 800°C. Structural characterisation was carried out using X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy, while optical properties were analysed using UV–Visible spectroscopy, and band gap values were estimated using the Tauc method. The results show a systematic increase in band gap from 3.28 eV for pure ZnO to 3.60 eV for pure SnO₂, with intermediate compositions exhibiting gradual shifts in absorption behaviour. Enhanced interfacial interaction, particularly in the 50:50 sample, resulted in noticeable modification of optical response due to increased grain boundary density and charge redistribution. These findings confirm that controlled interface formation enables effective tuning of optical properties and provides a practical and scalable approach for designing heterostructured oxide materials with adjustable band gap characteristics.

Keywords

ZnO/SnO₂ Heterostructures, Heterojunctions, Interfacial engineering, UV–Visible spectroscopy, Structural characterisation, Band gap modulation, Tunable optical properties

References

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