Ag-N dual acceptor doped p-type ZnO thin films by DC reactive magnetron co-sputtering

Abstract ZnO p-type thin films were deposited by dual acceptor co-doping using nitrogen and silver via DC reactive magnetron co-sputtering. As precursor material were used a Zn and an Ag metallic targets with a purity of 99.99%. X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDX) confirmed the presence of Ag and N in ZnO: Ag,N films. The electrical properties were explored by Hall Effect measurement and showed a low hole concentration for the as-deposited ZnO: Ag,N film. However, after annealing treatment, the films remained p-type and the electrical properties were improved significantly. The best electrical properties showed a low resistivity of 8.56×10 −3  Ωcm, Hall mobility of 23 cm 2 /Vs and a very high hole concentration of 3.17×10 19  cm −3 .