Deposition of gold on a PET film by pulsed DC magnetron sputtering

Pulsed DC magnetron sputtering was employed to deposit gold onto polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film. The optical properties of the gold coating were evaluated through reflectance and transmittance measurements using a Jasco V-770/SLM-907 spectrophotometer. Spectral analysis provides information about the colour, impurities, surface quality, and coating thickness. In sputtering experiments with a circular target, the gold coating exhibits a relatively uniform colour in the area opposite the target, with a thickness (df) greater than 60 nm and a resistance lower than 6 Ω. The coating thickness gradually decreases away from the center, therefore affecting other physical properties, so it should be considered and used for calculations when coating on a large substrate. The fabricated gold coating passes tests for adhesion, friction resistance and resistance to cleaning agents, making it suitable for industrial and daily applications such as decoration or making electrodes for biosensors and electronic components.