Physical Vapor-Deposited Silver (Ag)-Based Metal-Dielectric Nanocomposites for Thin-Film and Coating Applications

Abstract

Metallic thin-film materials and nanoparticles (mainly silver (Ag)-based) are recently being used in many nano-technological applications, including sensors, reflective heat-mirror coatings, and antibacterial coatings. The physical vapor deposition technique has attracted significant attention for Ag-based nanocomposites with tailoring of the structural and optical properties of metallic thin films, thus allowing for further improvements and application possibilities in various existing fields, namely electronics, catalysis, magnetics, and optics, alongside the environment and health and new emergent fields, particularly thin-film coatings. This study highlights the preparation, characterization, properties, and possible future application directions of several types of silver (Ag)-based nanocomposite thin films prepared by using physical vapor deposition techniques. The high-temperature (above 300 °C) heat-treated composite layer shows significant spectral shifts; however, distinguishingly notable sizes of nanoparticles are not observed, which indicates that this newly developed composite material can be useful for various coating applications.

Recent Advancements in Surface Modification, Characterization and Functionalization for Enhancing the Biocompatibility and Corrosion Resistance of Biomedical Implants

“…Several forms of silver (Ag)-based nanocomposite thin coatings were created by Alam et al [110] by applying physical vapor deposition processes, addressing their synthesis, characterization, characteristics, and potential prospective commercial possibilities. Although distinguishably noticeable diameters of nanoparticles were not seen in the elevated temperature (over 300 • C) heat-treated composite film, suggesting that this novel-produced composite substance could be suitable for many surface coatings.…”

Nano-grating Assisted Light Absorption Enhancement for MSM-PDs Performance Improvement: An Updated Review

“…This novel metallic composite material might be one of the greatest possibilities for future metal-based nano-structural device development, but it requires more research into nano-grating structure design and modeling for MSM-PDs as this contains a volumetric fraction of SiC. For the development of high current/temperature-driven modern optoelectronic devices, SiC and SiC-based materials are found to be highly recommended in the literature [79][80][81][82][83]. This new type of However, putting this double layer nano-grating structure device into practice will be difficult owing to the disadvantages of employing silver as a top metal layer for any multilayer structure due to its rapid oxidation and surface deterioration.…”

“…In such a situation, any other metal that may be employed as plasmonic materials would be preferable. Nur-E-Alam et al, recently published a paper on a silver-based composite material (Ag + SiC) that has reflective qualities similar to pure silver and can withstand high temperatures and ambient light exposure for a longer time [79]. This novel metallic composite material might be one of the greatest possibilities for future metal-based nano-structural device de-velopment, but it requires more research into nano-grating structure design and modeling for MSM-PDs as this contains a volumetric fraction of SiC.…”