Facile chemical solution synthesis of p-type delafossite Ag-based transparent conducting AgCrO2 films in an open condition

Abstract

Recent progress in transparent conducting components stimulates the extensive exploration of p-type transparent conducting oxide (TCO) materials. Here, we report the synthesis of a class of p-type delafossite Ag-based TCO thin films, AgCrO₂ (ACO), using a facile chemical solution route in an open condition. Firstly, the evolution of microstructure, morphology, and optical properties with respect to annealing temperature is reported. The stoichiometric ACO thin films show self-assembled c-axis orientation. The 500 °C-annealed ACO thin film presents a relatively high quality, dense surface and good optical transmittance amongst all the derived thin films. Then, to improve the conductivity, Mg doping effects are investigated. Upon Mg doping, p-type conductivity is obtained for thin films of AgCr_1−xMg_xO₂ (0.04 ≤ x ≤ 0.20). The conductivity initially increases from 3.1 × 10⁻³ to 67.7 × 10⁻³ S cm⁻¹ with x increasing from 0.04 to 0.12 and then slightly decreases with further increasing Mg concentration. The Hall results display that the hole concentration gradually increases with increasing Mg dopant concentration, and the carrier mobility first increases with x increasing from 0.04 to 0.12, while decreases with x further increasing from 0.12 to 0.20. A high magnitude of optical transmittance near 60% in the visible region and wide optical bandgaps (3.41–3.66 eV) of the AgCr_1−xMg_xO₂ thin films are observed. The facial fabrication of ACO thin films in an open condition will provide a start for the synthesis of Ag-based delafossite thin films.