Raman, electron microscopy and electrical transport studies of x-ray amorphous Zn-Ir-O thin films deposited by reactive DC magnetron sputtering

Zn-Ir-O thin films on glass and Ti substrates were deposited by reactive DC magnetron sputtering at room temperature. Structural and electrical properties were investigated as a function of iridium concentration in the films. Raman spectrum of Zn-Ir-O (61.5 at.% Ir) resembles the spectrum of rutile IrO₂, without any distinct features of wurtzite ZnO structure. SEM images indicated that morphology of the films surface improves with the iridium content. EDX spectroscopy and cross-section SEM images revealed that the films growing process is homogeneous. Crystallites with approximately 2-5 nm size were discovered in the TEM images. Thermally activated conductivity related to the variable range hopping changes to the non-thermally activated before iridium concentration reaches the 45 at.%.