Optical and structural properties of PbI2 thin film produced via chemical dipping method

PbI2 thin films were deposited on glass substrates via chemical bath deposition. The characteristics of PbI2 thin films were examined through their structural and optical properties. X-ray diffraction spectra showed the presence of rhombohedral structure and atom planes were subject to change with the pH of the bath. Scanning electron microscope indicated uniform distribution of grains. Optical properties were examined via UV-VIS; optical spectrum of the thin films was measured at the range of 200-1100 nm wavelength. Optimum pH levels for producing thin films were found to be pH 4-5. It has been observed that transmission and optical band gap (E-g) increased with the pH of the bath, which varied between 66-95 and 2.24-2.50 %, respectively; on the other hand film thickness of PbI2 thin films was decreased with the pH of the bath. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis were in accordance with theoretical value of PbI2 at pH = 4 and 5. Refractive index was negatively correlated with pH of the chemical bath; it has been calculated as 1.97, 1.40, 1.29 and 1.24 for the films produced at pH 2, 3, 4 and 5. The results of the study were compared with similar studies in the literature