Preparation of SnO2:F Thin Films-based Transparent Heaters by Spray Pyrolysis Deposition Technique

Abstract

This paper presents the preparation of SnO₂:F thin films used as transparent heaters deposited on glass substrate by using spray pyrolysis deposition technique. Precursor solution for spraying was prepared by mixing SnCl₄•5H₂O and NH₄F in C₂H₅OH/De-ionized water. Glass substrate temperature for spraying was varied from 250°C to 400°C. The optical, structural, morphological and electrical properties of as-deposited films were characterized by using UV-Vis spectrophotometer, X-ray diffraction technique (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), and four-point probe technique, respectively. The maximum value of transmittance was increased with increasing substrate temperature, over 85% in visible region for substrate temperature of 350°C. XRD results showed tetragonal structure, predominantly with (110), (101), (200), and (211) orientation. Thermal performance is shown by temperature profiles under constant voltage driven from DC power supply. It is found that heating capability of the heaters is highly dependent on glass substrate temperature.