Influence of Electron Beam Irradiation on the Structural, Optical, and Electrical Properties of Ag₂Se Thin Films

Abstract

The present work aims to investigate the effect of electron irradiation on the properties of silver selenide thin films. In this work, dendritic Ag₂Se thin films were synthesised via a facile, low-cost potentiostatic electrodeposition technique on fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) glass substrates. Silver nitrate (AgNO₃) and selenium dioxide (SeO₂) were employed as precursor sources, while ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) served as a complexing agent to regulate ion release and crystal growth (5 mM AgNO₃ + 2.5 mM SeO₂ + 0.05 M EDTA). The phase composition, crystallographic structure, surface morphology, and optical properties of the deposited films were systematically investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and optical absorption spectroscopy. XRD analysis confirmed the formation of crystalline Ag₂Se without detectable secondary phases, whereas SEM revealed the evolution of highly branched dendritic architectures with well-defined fractal characteristics. Optical studies demonstrated the characteristic absorption behaviour of Ag₂Se, indicating its suitability for semiconductor-based applications. Furthermore, the growth mechanism of the dendritic structures was explained through a comparative investigation of the as-deposited films and those subjected to electron-beam irradiation, providing insights into the role of diffusion-limited growth and post-deposition structural evolution. The present electrodeposition strategy offers a scalable and energy-efficient route for fabricating Ag₂Se dendritic thin films with controlled morphology, opening new opportunities for their integration into advanced optoelectronic, thermoelectric, and energy-conversion devices.