MgyNi1-y(H-x) thin films deposited by magnetron co-sputtering

• In this work we have synthesized thin films of MgyNi1-y(H-x) metal and metal hydride with y between 0 and 1. The films are deposited by magnetron co-sputtering of metallic targets of Mg and Ni. Metallic MgyNi1-y films were deposited with pure Ar plasma while MgyNi1-yHx hydride films were deposited reactively with 30% H-2 in the Ar plasma. The depositions were done with a fixed substrate carrier, producing films with a spatial gradient in the Mg and Ni composition. The combinatorial method of co-sputtering gives an insight into the phase diagram of MgyNi1-y and MgyNi1-yHx, and allows us to investigate structural, optical and electrical properties of the resulting alloys. Our results show that reactive sputtering gives direct deposition of metal hydride films, with high purity in the case of Mg similar to 2NiH similar to 4. We have observed limited oxidation after several months of exposure to ambient conditions. MgyNi1-y and MgyNi1-yHx films might be applied for optical control in smart windows, optical sensors and as a semiconducting material for photovoltaic solar cells.

Subject headings

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Elektroteknik och elektronik (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Information Engineering (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Metal hydrides

Semiconductors

Thin films

Vapour deposition

Optical spectroscopy

Transmission electron microscopy (TEM)

Electronics

Elektronik

Engineering Science with specialization in Electronics

Teknisk fysik med inriktning mot elektronik

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)