Microstructure, hydrogenation and optical behavior of Mg-Ni multilayer films deposited by magnetron sputtering

Mg-Ni multilayer films with sequential Mg and Ni layers were prepared by direct current magnetron sputtering. The substrate temperature influences the microstructure of the films greatly. The film deposited at 298 K exhibits multilayered structure, while the film shows nanocrystalline/amorphous composite structure at the deposition temperature of 473 K. The optical properties between hydrogenation/dehydrogenation states of the films were performed using spectrophotometer in visible light region. The film deposited at 473 K can switch from mirror-like metallic state towards brownish yellow transparent state under 0.6 MPa H₂ at 298 K, and the optical transmittance modulation reaches up to 20% both at a wavelength of 770 nm and IR region, while the film deposited at 298 K exhibits low optical change, and the optical switching behavior can hardly be found. The extra free energy stored in the boundary of the nanocrystallines benefits the formation of magnesium-based hydride, resulting in the enhancement of the optical switching properties of the Mg-Ni film deposited at 473 K.