Nano-sized Co(II)-8-hydroxyquinolate complex thin film via surface layer-by-layer chemical deposition method: Optimized factors and optical properties

An extensive study was performed and reported for evaluation and optimization of the factors affecting thin film formation of nano-sized Co(II)-8-hydroxyquinolate complex by surface layer-by-layer chemical deposition method. The formation of uniform thin films of nano-crystalline metal complex is heavily dependent on several important factors. Variation in metal and ligand concentrations (1:1–1:3) was found to show insignificant contribution to the molar stoichiometric ratio of the synthesized thin film of nano-sized Co(II)-8-hydroxyquinolate. The number of dipping cycles (2–50) was characterized by strong influence on the thin film thickness. The dependence of the immersion time (2–50 s) was proved to influence the crystal growth and homogeneity of the thin film. The role of pH of metal and ligand solutions was identified by strong contribution in development and formation of deposited Co(II)-8-hydroxyquinolate complex thin film. Finally, the role of solvent on the thin film formation was also studied and evaluated. Metal analysis, SEM, EI-MS, FT-IR and TGA were applied as monitoring techniques of these factors. The optical properties of Co(II)-8-hydroxyquinolate complex were also studied and the complex thin films were characterized by the highest optical transition from π–π* or n, π* states with energy gap in the UV-range at 3.13 eV. The lowest optical transition resulted from d–d transition or metal centered transition with energy 1.5 eV while, the optical transition at 2.35 eV is the contribution of metal ligand or ligand metal transition. In the light of the optical measurement, Co(II)-8-hydroxyquinolate complex can be considered as an organic semiconductor with the potential applications in the design of organic light-emitting diodes (OLEMs).