Effect of gamma and ultraviolet irradiation on the optical properties of copper oxide nanostructured thin films by chemical spray pyrolysis

Nanostructured copper oxide thin films were grown by the chemical spray pyrolysis (CSP) technique. Utilizing a homemade spray pyrolysis method, thin films are created. This work investigates the role of gamma ray and ultraviolet ray irradiation on the optical properties of copper oxide thin films(CuO) prepared. In this framework, used different substrate temperatures 300 degrees C, 350 degrees C, and 400 degrees C for the layers were grown on glass for the prepared CuO thin films. UV-visible spectrometer, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and Xray diffraction patterns(XRD) measurements were all used to characterize the samples. The UV-visible spectroscopy showed a decrease in the absorbance and the optical band gap of CuO thin films with the increase in the higher substrate temperatures before irradiation. Additionally, surface plasmon resonance peaks (lambda SPR) were observed at 329 nm. FE-SEM images revealed spherical-like shapes with an average diameter range of 48 nm,56 nm and 62 nm for 300 degrees C, 350 degrees C, and 400 degrees C, respectively. An analysis of X-rays revealed that CuO thin films contained the crystallographic planes of a monoclinic and an orthorhombic crystal system. Also, when samples were exposed to gamma and UVC radiation, the absorbance intensity of CuO thin films increased, but the optical band gap decreased.