Thin films derived from Zn(Al)O mixed metal oxides nanoparticles dispersed in polyethylene glycol: Structural, morphological and optical properties

In this study, Zn(Al)O thin films were produced using colloidal solution of Zn(Al)O nanoparticles dispersed in polyethylene glycol (PEG). Zn(Al)O mixed metal oxides were obtained by a simple pyrolysis of Zn–Al containing layered double hydroxide materials with different Al content. Survey of textural analysis of Zn(Al)O mixed oxides displayed characteristic peaks of ZnO structure. The calculated ratios of lattice parameters c/a were found to be 1.61 and 1.60 for 3-ZAO and 5-ZAO, respectively. The optical transmittance of the prepared thin films was not significantly affected by the increase in Al content; however, this increase changed the optical band gap from 3.27 eV to 3.33 eV. ZAO thin films, which are both cost-effective with good optical properties, have the potential to be an alternative to those used in many optical devices lately.