Abstract

The authors investigated the electrical properties of low-temperature-deposited indium-tin-oxide (ITO) films treated with an argon-ion beam (AIB) at high current density and low energy. Experimental data showed that ITO films on PET substrates treated in this manner had higher conductivity than the PET films treated thermally. X-ray diffraction indicated that the AIB ITO films had a poly-crystalline-like structure and that amorphous regions were present in PET substrates. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that the AIB ITO film surfaces had smaller cracks and exhibited dense bonding, presumably caused by instantaneous melting of ITO films by the high-current AIB beam. Consequently, the authors speculate that the effects of ion-beam treatment are driven by surface heating due to atomic collisions.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.