Influence of Ag thickness on electrical, optical and structural properties of nanocrystalline MoO3/Ag/ITO multilayer for optoelectronic applications

In this study, MoO3/Ag/ITO/glass (MAI) nano-multilayer films were deposited by the thermal evaporation technique and then were annealed in air atmosphere at 200 °C for 1 h. The effects of Ag layer thickness on electrical, optical and structural properties of the MoO3(45 nm)/Ag(5–20 nm)/ITO(45 nm)/glass nano-multilayer films were investigated. The sheet resistance decreased rapidly with increasing Ag thickness. Above a thickness of 10 nm, the sheet resistances became somewhat saturated to a value of 3(Ω/□). The highest transparency over the visible wavelength region of spectrum (85%) was obtained for 10 nm Ag layer thickness. Carrier mobility, carrier concentrations, transmittance and reflectance of the layers were measured. The allowed direct band-gap for an Ag thickness range 5–20 nm was estimated to be in the range 3.58–3.71 eV. The XRD pattern showed that the films were polycrystalline. X-ray diffraction has shown that Ag layer has a (111) predominant orientation when deposited. The figure of merit was calculated for MAI multilayer films. It has been found that the Ag layer thickness is a very important factor in controlling the electrical and optical properties of MAI multilayer films. The optimum thickness of the Ag layer for these films was determined. The results exhibit that the MAI transparent electrode is a good structure for use as the anode of optoelectronic devices. ► Characteristics of MoO3/Ag/ITO/glass (MAI) films were investigated. ► Ag layer thickness has an important role in controlling characteristics of MAI films. ► The optimum thickness of Ag layer for MAI films was determined. ► MAI films are promising anode that can be used as anode in organic solar cells.