Synthesis and characterization of antireflective Ag@AgCl nanocomposite thin films

Silver chloride thin films were easily prepared for the first time by direct spraying of silver chloride (AgCl) solution with low molarity on glass substrates heated at 200 degrees C, 250 degrees C, 300 degrees C and 350 degrees C. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) data showed that the films have cubic symmetry and are subject to compressive and tensile strains. Transmission electron microscopy revealed the presence of Ag nanoparticles (NPs) of different sizes embedded in AgCl thin films. These nanoparticles were roughly spherical and well crystallized in the case of the film prepared at 350 degrees C. The Raman and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirmed the XRD results. The UV-vis-NIR spectroscopy indicated a low reflectance with antireflecting properties and high optical transmission superior to 80 % at 350 degrees C. The obtained films have wide indirect band gap and exhibit localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) peak at 407 nm at deposition temperature of 350 degrees C due to the presence of Ag NPs.