Study of Ag nanoparticles incorporated SnO2 transparent conducting films by photochemical metal–organic deposition

Ag nanoparticles with a narrow size distribution were prepared by spontaneous reduction of Ag 2-ethylhexanoate in dimethyl sulfoxide. According to the incorporation content, SnO2 film transmittance was slightly reduced by light absorption of incorporated Ag nanoparticles. With incorporation of Ag nanoparticles, the crystallinity of the SnO2 films slightly decreased and the film sheet resistance improved. The valence band maximum of SnO2 films containing Ag nanoparticles indicated a shift towards the Fermi energy level, corresponding to an increase of electrons in the valence band from electron transfer from the Ag nanoparticles to the film. Direct-patterning of SnO2 films with Ag nanoparticles was produced without photoresist or dry etching. These results suggest a micro-patterned system can be simply fabricated with low cost and the electrical properties of the SnO2 films can be improved by incorporating Ag nanoparticles.