Electrical and optical properties of poly(methyl methacrylate) sheets coated with chemically deposited CuS thin films

Chemical bath deposition of CuS thin films of approximate to 0.3 mu m thickness on poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) sheets of 1.5 mm thickness is described. The deposition is made at 26 degrees C for duration up to 15 h or at 50 degrees C for up to 4 h. Studies on the variation of sheet resistance (R(square)) of the films as a function of duration of deposition, annealing time and annealing temperature showed a minimum R(square) value of 24 Ohm. This was obtained in PMMA sheets with CuS films deposited for 6 h at 26 degrees C and later annealed at 125 degrees C for 30 min. Optical transmittance spectra of the coated PMMA sheets in the 0.35-2.5 mu m region showed maxima (transmittance of 30-40%) for wavelengths in the 0.5-0.6 mu m region in the case of the annealed films. The results are compared with those for CuS films deposited on glass substrates. Applications of the coated PMMA sheets as solar control glazing and in metallization by electroplating are discussed.