Studies on Nanocrystalline Magnetron Sputtered Cu2O and Ag2Cu2O3 films

Transparent conducting oxide (TCO) materials are extensively used for the application of photovoltaic solar cells, transparent conducting coatings, gas sensing and antibacterial coatings. Among various TCOs, copper oxide (Cu2O) and silver-copper oxide (Ag2Cu2O3) are highly attractive for the above mentioned applications. This book restrains the optimized deposition conditions of Cu2O and Ag2Cu2O3 films formed on p-type silicon and glass substrates using RF reactive magnetron sputtering technique, eventually studied their structural, optical and electrical properties with an explanation on surface morphology. Relatively, silver-copper-oxide system uniquely showed high conductivity and thermal stability, when compared with individual silver and copper oxides. The silver-copper-oxide systems are new type of semiconductor materials used as the cathode in primary batteries and achieved an average discharge voltage of 2.0 V. The promising approach to prepare good quality TCO for gas sensors and antibacterial coatings were discussed clearly in this book.