Highly flexible transparent and conductive ZnS/Ag/ZnS multilayer films prepared by ion beam assisted deposition

• DOI: 10.1016/j.apsusc.2011.09.099
• Publication Date: 2011-10-18T17:30:50Z
• Authors: Zhinong Yu; Jian Leng; Wei Xue; Ting Zhang; Yurong Jiang; Jie Zhang; Dongpu Zhang
• Keywords: Indium tin oxide; Ion beam-assisted deposition; Transparent conducting film; Deposition

Abstract ZnS/Ag/ZnS (ZAZ) multilayer films were prepared on polyethene terephthalate (PET) by ion beam assisted deposition at room temperature. The structural, optical and electrical characteristics of ZAZ multilayers dependent on the thickness of silver layer were investigated. The ZAZ multilayers exhibit a low sheet resistance of about 10 Ω/sq., a high transmittance of 92.1%, and the improved resistance stabilities when subjected to bending. When the inserted Ag thickness is over 12 nm, the ZAZ multilayers show good resistance stabilities due to the existence of a ductile Ag metal layer. The results suggest that ZAZ film has better optoelectrical and anti-deflection characteristics than conventional indium tin oxide (ITO) single layer.