Morphology, composition, structure and optical properties of CuO/Cu2O thin films prepared by RF sputtering method

• The nanocrystalline thin films are produced.
• Radio frequency sputtering technique was used.
• Optical band gap values attributed to the increase of RF power.
• The thickness of samples were 20 nm and 50 nm.
• The transparency and absorbance related to RF power.

In this paper, copper oxide (CuO/Cu2O) nanocrystalline thin films were deposited by radio frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering system at 75 W and 100 W. The surface, optical, composition and structural properties of obtaining samples were characterized by using atomic force microscopy (AFM), UV–Vis spectrophotometer, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The optical band gaps of produced films were calculated as 2.05 eV and 1.83 eV for 75 W and 100 W. The layer’s thicknesses were measured as 20 nm and 50 nm using a Filmetrics F20. FESEM images of the samples prove the AFM images change and also show homogeneity of thin films and variation relative to power change, thus revealed the surface of samples disturb in homogen mode. EDX results denote presence of Cu and O elements inside the deposited samples.