An Investigation on the Physical Properties and Photoconductivity Effect of CuO Nanostructures Prepared by Thermal Oxidation Route

Cupric oxide CuO thin films were synthesized on ITO substrate using thermal oxidation route. Samples were made using a Cu-layer deposited by PVD method in two cases: in the absence and presence of an adhesive oxide layer on the substrate. Samples were characterized by FESEM images, XRD and UV-Vis. spectra. We found that while the surface of the sample without adhesive layer is covered by nanograins, but sample with the adhesive layer is covered by rough nano-grains contained of very fine grains, about 30 nm or less. The XRD spectra of the samples indicated a polycrystalline structure in monoclinic phase with the main orientations of 111 and 1 ̅11. Among these samples, one with an adhesive layer has a better physical conditions i.e. bigger crystallite sizes, smaller band gap and higher optical absorbance. Finally, photoconductivity effect in metal-semiconductor-metal MSM structure was investigated using a red LED lamp.