Influence of the process parameters on phase stabilisation and microstructure control of TiO2 thin films for optoelectronic application

This study delves into the influence of process parameters on the phase stabilization and microstructure control of TiO2 thin films, with a focus on their potential applications in optoelectronic devices. By employing Taguchi's design of experiments, the research systematically evaluates the impact of evaporation time, evaporation temperature, spin-coating speed, and the number of layers on the final quality of nanocrystalline TiO2 films synthesized via the sol-gel process. The investigation reveals that the number of coatings has the most significant influence on the films' properties, while evaporation duration has the least impact. The optimized TiO2 films exhibit a highly crystalline anatase phase, transmittance exceeding 80%, and a crack-free surface. The study also demonstrates the photoconductivity of the optimized films, showcasing their potential as electron transport layers in perovskite solar cells and other optoelectronic applications. The detailed analysis of the films' microstructure, crystallinity, and optical properties provides valuable insights for researchers and engineers working on similar materials.