Effect of the number of cycles on the optical and structural properties of Mn3O4 nanostructures obtained by SILAR technique

In this study, nanostructured Mn3O4 (manganese oxide) thin films were successfully obtained by successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) method on the soda lime glass substrates using Manganese Nitrate (Mn(NO3)2) and Ammonium hydroxide (NH4(OH)) as cationic and anionic precursors respectively. Structural and morphological characterizations of the Mn3O4 films obtained at different cycles were determined using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The crystal structure of the thin films were also confirmed by RAMAN spectroscopy. Optical properties such as absorption, transmission, reflection, extinction coefficient and optical band gap of nanostructured Mn3O4 thin films were determined by UV–Vis spectroscopy. SEM images showed that the manganese oxide nanosheets formed uniformly on substrate surface. As the deposition cycles increased, nano-sheets structure deteriorated. The optical band gap of Mn3O4 thin films varied from 2.12 to 2.59 eV, depending on the increase in number of cycles. From contact angle measurements of thin films, it was determined that thin films had hydrophilic character.