Electrochemical Deposition of Ag/C Films: Effects of Silver Concentration on Structural, Optical, and Electrical Properties

Abstract

Silver-carbon (Ag/C) composite films were successfully fabricated on PET/ITO substrates using a novel two-step electrochemical deposition method. The impact of silver concentration on the structural, optical, and electrical properties of the films was systematically investigated. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed a heterogeneous film structure, with carbon conforming to the underlying silver morphology, which varied with silver concentration. Higher silver concentrations resulted in larger and denser silver structures. Optical characterization demonstrated that the addition of carbon significantly enhanced transmittance, particularly at lower silver concentrations, making these films promising candidates for transparent conductive electrodes. Both Ag and Ag/C films exhibited ohmic behavior, as evidenced by linear current–voltage (I-V) characteristics. Ag/C films showed superior conductivity compared to pure Ag films, attributed to the contribution of the carbon layer to electron transport. Hall measurements further confirmed the enhanced electrical properties of Ag/C films, revealing lower sheet resistance and resistivity compared to Ag films. The improved homogeneity of Ag/C films, due to the incorporation of carbon, is beneficial for achieving uniform electrical properties. These findings highlight the potential of electrochemically deposited Ag/C composites for various technological applications, including flexible electronics, optoelectronics, sensors, and energy storage devices.