Structural properties of FeTe2 thin films synthesized by tellurization of amorphous iron oxide thin films

Abstract This paper deals with the structural properties of FeTe 2 thin films obtained using a simple and non-toxic experimental procedure. First, iron oxide thin films have been prepared by the spray pyrolysis technique from an aqueous solution containing FeCl 3 6H 2 O (0.03 M) as a precursor onto glass substrates heated at 623 K. Second, these films were subjected to a heat treatment under tellurium atmosphere at various temperatures (723–803 K) for 24 h. XRD analysis revealed that FeTe 2 -ortorombic phase films were obtained at a heat treatment of the order of 773 K. This film has a good crystalline state with a preferential orientation of the crystallites along (111) direction. Moreover, AFM as well as SEM morphological observations show a relatively perturbed surface state. To date, this simple and low cost route process to obtained FeTe 2 thin films has not yet been used.