Transformation Process of the Magnetron-Sputtered Ag 2 O Film in Hydrogen Annealing

The current paper 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. Hydrogen-involved reaction in the whole hydrogen annealing process is mainly hydrogen reduction reaction with Ag 2 O. Diffusion of hydrogen and gaseous H 2 O molecules accompanies the whole hydrogen annealing process.