Structure and properties of a-C films modified with Ir nanoparticles

In this work, thin amorphous carbon films modified with iridium nanoparticles (a-C <Ir>) synthesized by magnetron ion-plasma co-sputtering in an argon atmosphere are considered. The morphology and structure of a-C <Ir> films were studied using atomic-force microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. The dispersion of the G peak showed structural changes of a-C with increasing Ir concentration in the films, which is more clearly manifested in the films synthesized on silicon substrates. The optical and electrical properties of a-C <Ir> films were studied. A change in the band gap with increasing Ir concentration additionally showed a structural transition from a diamond-like to a graphite-like matrix. A percolation transition of conductivity at Ir concentration of similar to 0.2 at.% in a-C <Ir> films was detected and an increase in conductivity by 10(7) when the concentration of iridium was increased by 0.7 at.%. (C) 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Selection and peer-review under responsibility of the scientific committee of the 7th International Conference on Nanomaterials and Advanced Energy Storage Systems.