Effect of Thermal Treatment on Optical and Electrical Properties of Cu0.59(ZrO2)0.41 Composite Nanoglass Film

Cu0.59(ZrO2)0.41 composite nanoglass, consisting of amorphous ZrO2 clusters connected by amorphous Cu -enriched interfacial layers, exhibits the best optical and electrical properties in the Cu-ZrO2 nanoglass system. In this work, annealing in the temperature range of 300-500 degrees C has been conducted on the Cu0.59(ZrO2)0.41 composite nanoglass film to further optimize its electrical and optical properties. It is indicated that the appropriate annealing induces the widening of Cu-enriched interfacial layers by the diffusion of Cu atoms to-wards the interface, which indeed enhances the conductivity by increasing the density of charge carriers and continuity of nanonetwork. The optical transparency in the visible light range of the Cu-enriched nanonetwork remains above 60% during annealing. The Cu0.59(ZrO2)0.41 composite nanoglass remains amorphous at tem-peratures as high as 400 degrees C and starts to crystallize at 500 degrees C. The findings pave the way for the design of thermally stable 2D nano-conducting networks with enhanced electrical conductivity while maintaining good optical transmittance properties.