Abstract

• Silver particles were synthesized by using an aqueous-based reduction method. Silver thin film (core) was synthesized in form of finely silver films. The ITO coated glass was used as substrate for chemical bath deposition (CBD) at 120˚C for 2 h. Shell material (TiO2 solution) was coated onto Ag thin film by spin coating technique. The grain size of the Ag particles, Ag thin film and Ag-TiO2 thin film were studied by scanning electron microscope (SEM). Optical properties of silver thin film were determined from transmittance spectrum with SHIMADZU UV-1800 spectrophotometer. Ag-TiO2 thin film was prepared by spin coating method. The electrical properties were investigated by leakage current versus voltage (I–V) measurements. The reverse bias characteristics and the forward bias characteristics of the Schottky barrier of the Ag-TiO2 thin film were also determined. Photovoltaic parameters: conversion efficiency (ηcon) 4.83 % and fill factor (FF) 0.27 are also determined.