Morphological and structural characterization of Sm–O–S compounds prepared by thermolysis of dithiocarbamate precursors

Deposition and structural characterization of Sm_xS_yO_z-based thin films are reported. The chemical synthesis of the Sm_xS_yO_z compounds is performed by thermolysis of dithiocarbamate precursors, followed by the drop casting deposition of the synthesized material, and by the thermal treatment at different temperatures (250 °C, 500 °C and 900 °C) and atmospheric conditions (nitrogen and air). Structural and morphological properties have been investigated by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction, and were found to depend closely on the treatment conditions. In particular, the treatment at temperatures as high as 900 °C and in a nitrogen atmosphere enhances the crystalline nature of the films and increases the samarium content in comparison to the oxygen content. Therefore, the temperature of 900 °C and the nitrogen atmosphere represent the optimal treatment conditions, among the process parameters, to obtain a single phase of Sm₂SO₂. - Highlights: • Sm–O–S compounds have been synthesized by a simple and low cost chemical route. • The films were treated at different temperatures and different atmospheres. • The film structure and chemical composition were studied. • SmxOySz physical properties were tuned with temperature and atmosphere treatment. • At 900 °C in nitrogen atmosphere a single phase of Sm2O2S is obtained