Sb₂S₃ thin films: effect of PEI polymer substrate on physical properties

The aim of this work is to highlight the substrate effects on physical properties of antimony trisulphide (Sb₂S₃) thin films grown by simple chemical bath deposition. Sb₂S₃ thin films were deposited on glass and flexible Polyetherimide (PEI) substrates using similar deposition conditions. X-ray diffraction results indicate that both Sb₂S₃/glass and Sb₂S₃/PEI thin films are polycrystalline with orthorhombic structure. It was found that their texture and structural parameters are strongly dependent on the substrate. In fact, Sb₂S₃ growth on polymer substrate leads to an enhancement in surface roughness (RMS = 33 nm for Sb₂S₃/glass, and 116 nm for Sb₂S₃/PEI) and superhydrophobic character. This makes Sb₂S₃/PEI sought to be used in self-cleaning applications