SOLUTION GROWTH AND CHARACTERIZATION OF SILVER SULFIDE FILMS

Silver sulfide (Ag2S) thin films were grown by an electroless chemical deposition technique at 50 degrees C and pH = 10. Silver ions were fi rst complexed by ammonia, and then sodium thiosulfate solution was int roduced. Upon hydrolytic decomposition, uniform thin silver sulfide fi lms were grown on either glass or polyester substrates. X-ray studies confirmed that the deposited material was Ag2S. Optical studies were c arried out in the spectral region 0.3-2.5 mu m. The absorption coeffic ient of the films was found to decrease with increasing wavelength, wh ich makes the Ag2S films suitable as IR detectors. The optical band-ga p energy of the films was found to be 2.2 eV. The resistivity was 14-2 0 Ohm . m, and the films were of p-type.