Mn-Doped Titania Thin Films Prepared by Spin Coating

TiO₂ thin films doped with ≤7 mol% Mn (metal basis) were deposited on F-doped SnO₂-coated (FTO) glass substrates by spin coating. The structural, morphological, and optical properties of the films were investigated by glancing angle X-ray diffraction (GAXRD), laser Raman microspectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV–VIS). Mn doping of TiO₂ (anatase) extended the optical absorption edge to longer wavelengths (lower photon energies) significantly lowering the band gap from 3.32 eV (undoped) to 2.90 (7 mol% Mn). The absorption edges of all films were sharp and the transparencies in the visible region were in the range 60–75%. All of the films were homogeneous, fully dense, and essentially crack-free.