Preparation and characterization of Ni-C composite films

Ni-C composite films were prepared using a codeposition method, their struc ture and electrical properties were investigated. Depending on experimental conditions, two typical structures are found for as-deposited Ni-C films: i) amorphous Ni-C alloy film; ii) granular film with Ni3C granules and inte r-granule amorphous carbon. The amorphous Ni-C films show ohmic conduction behaviour with very high resistivity. On the other hand, granular films wit h high carbon content show semiconductive characteristics. The electrical p roperty and conduction behaviour are correlated with the film structure. Be sides, the crystallization behaviour of the amorphous Ni-C film was also st udied. (C) 2001 Kluwer Academic Publishers.