Tuning the Stoichiometry of Ag<SUB>2</SUB>S Thin Films for Resistive Switching Applications

Abstract

In this work silver-rich and sulfur-rich silver sulfide (Ag2S) thin films were fabricated using a diversified set of experimental methods, namely ion beam deposition and atmosphere- and solution-based sulfurizations. The composition of the Ag2S thin films was studied using X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. We found that it strongly depends on the fabrication conditions, such as sulfurization time and temperature. These conditions, in turn, affect the electrical characteristics of the thin films, namely the resistivity and resistive switching. We were able to control the Ag2S stoichiometry and infer its dependence on the fabrication parameters for all the followed methods.

Selective Surface Modification and Layer Thinning of MoS2 via Ultraviolet-Light Irradiation in an Ionic Solution: Implications for Multifunctional Nanoelectronic Devices

“…The Raman spectra of 1L MoS 2 taken at the edge area (with an optical change) and center area (without an optical change) are similar (Figures 1e and S2), consistent with that before UV irradiation (Figure 1c). In addition, there is no formation of any defect-related Raman peaks and other possible chemical bonds, such as Ag 2 S (∼244 cm −1 ) and Mo−O (∼820 cm −1 ) (Figure S3), 33,34 strongly confirming that the lattice structure of 1L MoS 2 at the edge area (with an optical change) is not damaged. Hence, the possibility of surface corrosion in 1L MoS 2 can be ruled out.…”

Ag sputtering–assisted phase formation of Ag2S‐decorated ZnS composite sheets and their photoactive performances

“…Sulfurization starts with the direct reaction of Ag atoms near the surface of the film and the Ag + ion mobility is very large, allowing a continuous reaction of the S with the diffusing Ag atoms on the growing surface. 31 As the Ag decoration content is substantially less than the S can be provided from ZnS sheets, a continuous reaction of the S with the infusing Ag might occur to form the Ag 2 S phase in the composite sheets. Similarly, for the TA80 and TA220, the formation of Ag 2 S phase on the ZnS sheet template is visibly presented in Figure S1a,b, respectively, revealing the designed Ag sputtering durations herein impelled the formation of Ag 2 S crystallites on ZnS after the subsequent annealing procedure.…”

“…that the reaction temperature of 350°C is sufficiently high to allow Ag being converted into Ag 2 S in the S precursor. Sulfurization starts with the direct reaction of Ag atoms near the surface of the film and the Ag + ion mobility is very large, allowing a continuous reaction of the S with the diffusing Ag atoms on the growing surface 31 . As the Ag decoration content is substantially less than the S can be provided from ZnS sheets, a continuous reaction of the S with the infusing Ag might occur to form the Ag 2 S phase in the composite sheets.…”

Sulphur corrosion effect on the electrical performance of silver films elaborated by physical vapor deposition

“…Figure 5 shows an increase of electrical resistivity with sulfurization time [17,18,19] due to the formation of Ag2S phase having an electrical resistivity 10 6 times higher than that of the Ag phase. The largest increase is obtained when layers have 0.3 and 0.5 µm thickness.…”