Synthesis and study of thin TiO2 films doped with silver nanoparticles for the antireflection coatings and transparent contacts of photovoltaic converters

Problems associated with the deposition and studies of the properties of thin titanium-dioxide films doped with silver nanoparticles, which can be used as antireflection coatings and transparent contacts in the fabrication of solar cells, are analyzed. The method of deposition onto a rotating substrate is used for synthesis. The structural and optical properties and the surface morphology of the TiO₂–Ag films are examined. It is shown that the concentration of Ag nanoparticles in the reaction mixture affects the thickness of the resulting films, their refractive index, and their conductivity. The introduction of Ag nanoparticles into titanium-dioxide films gives rise to an absorption band at 420–430 nm, associated with the plasmon resonance in silver. Calcination at 400°C leads to a decrease in the intensity of this absorption band.