Optical properties of ZnO/Al/ZnO multilayer films for large area transparent electrodes

Egidius Rutatizibwa Rwenyagila, Benjamin Agyei-Tuffour, Martiale Gaetan Zebaze Kana, Omololu Akin-Ojo, Winston Oluwole Soboyejo

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This study presents the optical properties of layered ZnO/Al/ZnO composite thin films that are being explored for potential applications in solar cells and light emitting devices. The composite thin films are explored as alternatives to ZnO thin films. They are produced via radio frequency magnetron sputtering. The study clarifies the role of the aluminum mid-layer in a ZnO (25 nm)/Al/ZnO (25 nm) film structure. Multilayers with low resistivity ∼362 Ω cm and average transmittances between ∼85 and 90% (in the visible region of the solar spectrum) are produced. The highest Haacke figure of merit of 4.72 × 10-3 Ω-1 was obtained in a multilayer with mid-layer Al thickness of 8 nm. The combined optical band gap energy of the multilayered films increased by ∼0.60 eV for mid-layer Al thicknesses between ∼1 and 10 nm. The observed shifts in the optical absorption edges to shorter wave lengths of the spectrum are shown to be in agreement with the Moss-Burstein effect.

Original languageEnglish
Article number298
JournalJournal of Materials Research
Volume30
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 17 Nov 2015
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • conductivity
  • mid-Al
  • multilayer
  • transmittance

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