Mechanical and optical properties of ITO films with anti-reflective and anti-wear coatings

In this study, radio frequency rf. magnetron sputtered ITO films were coated with reactively sputtered SiO2 films. The microhardness, pull-off strength, scratch adhesion strength, optical transmittance and reflectance of the SiO2rITOrsubstrate system are investigated. Coating of SiO2 enhances both the hardness and pull-off strength and reduces the scratch critical load of the system. The optical transmittance in the visible range is also improved with the addition of SiO2.