Nanostructured Fe2O3/TiO2 thick films

Abstract

Thick films of nanostructured pure TiO2, -Fe2O3, Fe2O3/TiO2 (ratio 2:3 and 3:2) and a hetero-junction in the form of a TiO2 layer over a Fe2O3 layer have been fabricated by screen printing technology on a glass substrate. The pastes used for film preparation were obtained by adding an organic vehicle to the oxide powders together with a small percentage of binding glass frit. Samples were dried up to 100oC and sintered at 650oC/60 minutes. Structural, morphological and optical studies have been carried out using XRD, SEM, EDS analysis and UV/Vis spectroscopy. Fe2O3/TiO2 thick films had a homogenous nanostructure and no new compounds were formed. Indirect band gaps were determined from the measured transmission spectra.