Investigation of deposition times on nano structures ferrous thin layers produced by chemical bath deposition method

Abstract Ferrous thin layers were deposited on SiO 2 substrates by chemical bath deposition method, from aqueous solutions containing Ironchloride and sodium thiosulfateat 30, 60 and 120 min as deposition time. The effect of deposition time on the structural and optical properties of ferrous thin layers was investigated by x-ray diffraction (XRD), Atomic force microscopy (AFM) and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM). According to XRD results, crystallinity of the layers with cubic pyrite phase increases with increasing the deposition time. AFM image showed the film’s surface is well covered with irregular grains. Morphology, roughness and grain structures were changed completely by increasing deposition times. Nanoparticles were clearly visible on the surface of the films. The optical properties were determined using UV–vis spectrophotometer. The optical bandgap of the ferrous layers was between 3.20–3.35 eV at different deposition times.