Sabrina Roguai 1Abdelkader Djelloul 22024-02-142024-02-142020-01-2347https://doi.org/10.1007/s00339-020-3301-6http://dspace.univ-khenchela.dz:4000/handle/123456789/1016/Pure and Cu doped ZnO flms were grown by ultrasonic spray pyrolysis onto glass substrates at 450 °C for 30 min. This study aims to investigate the infuence of Cu doping content [0.02–0.20] on structural, microstructural and optical proper ties. X-ray difraction analysis reveals a structural disorder depending on Cu loading besides the appearance of CuO phase. The doping efectiveness is revealed by EDX analysis of the chemical composition of the flms. The transmittance shows a decreasing tendency with increasing Cu concentration. The refractive indices increase, whereas the values of forbidden energy gap decrease with the increase in Cu dopant concentration.enArticle