Veena, E.Bangera, K.V.Shivakumar, G.K.2026-02-062016Materials Today: Proceedings, 2016, Vol.3, 6, p. 2225-2231https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2016.04.130https://idr.nitk.ac.in/handle/123456789/32248Lead sulfide (PbS) thin films were prepared by chemical spray pyrolysis method using lead acetate and thiourea as precursors of Pb+2 and S-2 ions. X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique, scanning electron microscope (SEM) and EDAX analysis were used for structural, morphological and compositional characterization. XRD analysis shows that the films are cubic in nature with a preferred orientation along (2 0 0). EDAX analysis shows that films deposited at 150°C are sulfur rich. An increase in the substrate temperature results in a decrease in the sulfur content of the prepared film. It has been observed that thin films deposited at or above 225°C are smooth & uniform morphologically. Beyond a substrate temperature of 275°C, the films become discontinuous and non-uniform. However, the films are sulfur rich, even at 275°C. Electrical conductivity of prepared thin films have been measured using silver contacts in coplanar geometry. Films are n - type as confirmed by hot probe technique. The electrical conductivity at room temperature (25°C) was in the order of 10-4 Ω-1cm-1 and was found to increase with increase in temperature showing the semiconducting nature of the films with the band gap of 0.39 eV. © 2016 Elsevier Ltd.Electrical conductivityLead sulfideSpray pyrolysisXRD