Author(s)

Yaohua Zhu^1*, Weien Lai²

¹Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China.
²Faculty of Physics and Materials Sciences Center, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany.

Electropulsing induced phase transformation and crystal orientation change and their effects on electrical conductivity, THz reflection and surface roughness of thin-films of Al₂O₃ (2 wt%) doped ZnO were studied using XRD, SEM, AFM and Thz spectroscopy techniques. AZO-2 thin-films showed an effective response in THz spectroscopy under electropulsing. Electropulsing induced circular preferred crystal orientation changes and phase transformations were observed. The preferred crystal orientation changes accompanying decrease in stress and the secondary phase precipitation favored enhancing conductivity and THz reflection of the AZO-2 thin-films. After adequate electropulsing, both THz reflection and electrical conductivity of the thin-films were enhanced by 22.8% and 6.8%, respectively; meanwhile surface roughness reduced. The property responses of electropulsing are discussed from point view of microstructural change and dislocation dynamics.

Electropulsing, Precipitation, Preferred Crystal Orientation, THz Reflection, Electrical Conductivity, AZO Thin-Films

Zhu, Y. and Lai, W. (2016) Effects of Electropulsing Induced Microstructural Changes on THz-Reflection and Electrical Conductivity of Al-Doped ZnO Thin-Films. Journal of Surface Engineered Materials and Advanced Technology, 6, 106-117. doi: 10.4236/jsemat.2016.63010.