Abstract
In order to improve the conductivity of the single–layered nano-thick F doped SnO2 (FTO) thin films, an Ag mid–layer is embedded between the FTO layers. In our work, the effects of mid–layer Ag and top FTO layer on the structural, electrical and optical properties of FTO/Ag/FTO multilayered composite structures deposited on quartz glass substrates by magnetron sputtering at 100 °C have been investigated. As the thickness of Ag mid–layer increases, the resistivity decreases. As the top FTO layer thickness increases, the resistivity increases. The highest value of figure of merit φTC is 7.8 × 10−2 Ω−1 for the FTO (20 nm)/Ag (7 nm)/FTO (30 nm) multilayers, while the average optical transmittance is 95.5% in the visible range of wavelengths and the resistivity is 8.8 × 10−5 Ω·cm. In addition, we also describe the influence of Ag and top FTO layer thickness on structural, electrical and optical properties of the nano-thick FTO (20 nm)/Ag/FTO multilayers and the mechanism of the changes of electrical and optical properties at different Ag and top FTO layer thicknesses.
Highlights
In order to improve the conductivity of the single–layered nano-thick F doped SnO2 (FTO) thin films, an Ag mid–layer is embedded between the FTO layers
The X–ray diffraction (XRD) results for sandwich structures FTO (20 nm)/Ag/FTO (50 nm) with different thicknesses of the middle Ag layer were shown in Fig. S1 of the Supplementary Information (SI)
The value of FWHM decreases gradually with the increase of Ag mid–layer thickness. This indicates that the variation of the Ag mid–layer morphology at increased Ag mid–layer thickness can enhance the crystal quality of top FTO thin film
Summary
In order to improve the conductivity of the single–layered nano-thick F doped SnO2 (FTO) thin films, an Ag mid–layer is embedded between the FTO layers. A TCO needs to be cost effective, reliable and stable in order for it to be used as anode material in solar cells, et al.[11,12,13] ITO thin films are expensive due to the high cost of indium. They are less stable in hydrogen plasma and are toxic[14]. Electrical, and optical properties of multilayers deposited at various thicknesses of Ag and top FTO layer
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