Oriented Growth of Tin Oxide Thin Films on Glass Substrates by Spray Pyrolysis of Organotin Compounds

Organotin compounds were used successfully to prepare highly oriented SnO2 thin films on glass substrates. Spray pyrolysis of tetra-n-butyltin(IV) and di-n-butyltin(IV) diacetate led to the deposition of [110]- and [200]-oriented SnO2 films, respectively. The oriented growth of these thin films occurred via three stages: (1) formation of SnO2 nuclei, (2) crystal growth of SnO2 with preferred orientations, and (3) further crystal growth normal to the surface of the substrate. The butyl and acetoxy groups of the organotin compounds facilitated [110]- and [200]-oriented growth of SnO2 thin films, respectively. The present model explains the oriented growth of SnO2 thin films in terms of the relationship between the molecular structure of the starting compounds and the atomic configuration of the grown surfaces.