An Extensive Analysis: Impact of 120MeV Ni7+ beam irradiation on the Structural, Morphological, and Optical Properties of WO3 thin films

Abstract

The present study provides a way to modify the structural, morphological, and optical properties of tungsten trioxide (WO₃) thin films through high-energy ion beam irradiation. The WO₃ thin films fabricated by spin-coating technique were irradiated with 120 MeV Ni⁷⁺ at fluences 5 × 10¹², 1 × 10¹³, and 3 × 10¹³ ions/cm². Characterizations such as XRD, Raman, FTIR, AFM, FESEM, and UV-visible spectroscopy have been carried out to identify structural, spectroscopic, morphological, and optical properties. The XRD spectra of the pre-and post-irradiated thin films showed the monoclinic structure for all the films with variations in the intensity of the peaks. The Raman peak intensity decreased due to the onset of defects, and reduction in crystallinity after the ion beam irradiation. The AFM analysis revealed the effect of irradiation on the crystallinity and surface roughness of films compared to the pristine thin films. The optical properties studied by absorption spectra revealed a reduction in the optical band gap after irradiations. The tuned characteristics of the thin films by irradiation of the high-energy ion beams in the present study are suitable for technological applications in various fields.