Transformation process of the magnetron-sputtered Ag$_2$O film in hydrogen annealing

TL;DR

This study investigates how hydrogen partial pressure influences the microstructure and transformation mechanism of Ag₂O films during hydrogen annealing, revealing accelerated reduction and lowered transformation temperature.

Contribution

It provides detailed analysis of the transformation process and mechanism of Ag₂O films under varying hydrogen partial pressures, highlighting the effects on reaction kinetics and microstructure.

Findings

Higher hydrogen partial pressure accelerates Ag₂O to Ag transformation.

Lowered critical transformation temperature due to enhanced hydrogen reduction.

Hydrogen reduction is the main reaction during annealing.

Abstract

The current paper mainly addresses the effect of the hydrogen partial pressure on the microstructure and transformation of the Ag$_2$O film. The transformation process and mechanism were also analyzed in detail. Increasing the hydrogen partial pressure can accelerate the transformation of Ag$_2$O to Ag and lower the critical transformation temperature of the film due to the enhanced hydrogen reduction, and to both of the lowered activation energy of the reaction of Ag$_2$O with hydrogen and enhanced lattice strain of the Ag$_2$O film, respectively. Hydrogen-involved reaction in the whole hydrogen annealing process is mainly hydrogen reduction reaction with Ag$_2$O. The diffusion of hydrogen and gaseous H$_2$O molecules is accompanied with the whole hydrogen annealing process.