Preparation and characterization of the [CaCu(bet)(4)](ClO4)(4) thin films

Details are given of an experimental study on the deposition process of CaC uB (B = betaine) thin films and their optical and electrical properties. It is demonstrated that such films may be prepared using thermal evaporation technique. The films were characterized by using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), electron probe microanalyses (EPM) and scanning elect ron microscope (SEM). Similar infrared spectra were obtained for both the f ilms and the powder samples. Results of EPM show that each element of the c hemical compound was distributed evenly in the evaporated films. In additio n, electrical conductivity, optical absorption and fluorescent spectra of t he film were measured. The results reveal that the evaporated compound is a wide band gap insulator. Significant fluorescence was detected and the spe ctrum with peak at 409 nm was recorded. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.