Electrical percolation threshold in Ag–DLC nanocomposite films prepared by RF-sputtering and RF-PECVD in acetylene plasma

Abstract

Silver-diamond like carbon (Ag-DLC) nanocomposite films were deposited on glass and silicon substrates by co-deposition of RF-sputtering and RF-PECVD method in acetylene plasma. The effects of deposition time on creation of conductive percolation pathway in Ag-DLC nanocomposite films were investigated. The films were characterized by XRD pattern, AFM images, UV-Vis and FTIR spectra. Pressure of chamber's variation over time was illustrated the rate of carbon and silver deposition changing. The results showed that nanoparticles' size and surface roughness was increased by increasing deposition time. Surface plasmon resonance peak's red shift in optical absorption spectra of samples could be depends on silver nanoparticles' scale up. Based on electrical measurements, electrical percolation threshold was observed only in the film with 35 min deposition time. Pathway was created for electric current by Ag nanoparticles' moving in carbon matrix due to sp3 bonds and silver content in the films. The aging effect was studied for sample #2 in the threshold of percolation, where obtained Ag nanoparticles memorize its previous pathway. This investigation provides a better understanding for electric properties of Ag-DLC nanocomposite based on the percolation theory.

The effects of deposition time on the nanoscale patterns of Ag/DLC nanocomposite synthesized by RF‐PECVD

“…With the increase of the deposition times on samples (from 10 to 40 min) the fractal dimension decreases (from 2.70 to 2.64). As shown herein, the fractal dimension is useful in characterizing 3‐D surface micromorphology of Ag/DLC nanocomposite, and the results confirm the previous results of Abdolghaderi et al ().…”

“…He found concentration of metal in Me‐DLC change by changing the diameter of metal tablet relatively. Abdolghaderi, Astinchap, and Shafiekhani () fabricated Ag/DLC nanocomposite on glass and Silicon substrates by co‐deposition of sputtering and radio frequency plasma‐enhanced chemical vapor deposition (RF‐PECVD) method and investigated electrical conductivity at the percolation threshold. Wu et al () used unbalance magnetron sputtering to deposit Ag/DLC nanocomposite with different Ag content that found number and size of silver particles increased by rising of Ar/CH 4 ratios.…”

Electrically conductive polystyrene nanocomposites incorporated with aspect ratio‐controlled silver nanowires

“…Recently, interest in conductive polymer nanocomposites has surfaced due to the facile incorporation of conductive reinforcing particles into an insulating polymeric matrix to improve electrical, mechanical, and thermal properties . In particular, the electrical percolation threshold, that is, the filler concentration at which significant reduction (by several orders of magnitude) in electrical resistivity occurs, has garnered great attention during the past decade . With a value above this critical concentration, nanocomposites become conductive, and subsequently, undergo the insulator‐to‐conductor transition.…”

Multifractal investigation of Ag/DLC nanocomposite thin films

“…Abdolghaderi et al 6 deposited Ag-DLC on glass and silicon substrates by the co-deposition of RF-sputtering and RF-sputtering method and studied electrical percolation threshold in nanocomposites.…”