Synthesis and analysis of Ag-doped ZnO

The solid-solid interaction and thermal decomposition behavior of 2 wt % Ag2O in ZnO powder have been investigated by using thermogravimetry analysis and differential thermal analysis. Ag2O, which remained stable in ZnO up to 200 degrees C, was observed to be thermally decomposed to Ag+ ions in the temperature range of 200-250 degrees C, suggesting that Ag+ ions were diffused into ZnO matrix. Based on thermal analysis, ZnO:Ag films have been fabricated on a (001) Al2O3 substrate using specifically synthesized Ag-doped ZnO target by pulsed laser deposition. The effect of (002) peak shift on the structural property of Ag-doped ZnO films has been systematically characterized to investigate the influence of the substitution of Ag+ for Zn+. Ag-doped p-type ZnO films have been successfully grown at a deposition temperature in the range of 200-250 degrees C, which is in good agreement with thermally decomposed temperature for Ag2O to Ag+ in ZnO powder, with hole concentrations of 4.9x10(16)-6.0x10(17) cm(-3), hole mobilities of 0.29-2.32 cm(2)/V s, and resistivities of 34-54 Omega cm. The effect of Ag doping in ZnO thin film has been systematically investigated and the p-type conduction mechanism has been proposed. (c) 2006 American Institute of Physics.