Low temperature magnetoresistance properties of Ag2+δSexTe1−x nanocrystalline thin films

Highlights: ► The first report on the magnetic resistance (MR) properties of Ag2+δSexTe1−x NCs thin films. ► The MR effect of NCs thin films is found to be related to the composition as well as annealing conditions. ► Resistance measurement results imply that these materials have positive MR effect under applied magnetic field ► MR of the Ag2.2Se0.2Te0.8 NC thin films shows a maximum value of 68% at 239 K and 8 T. - Abstract: Ag2+δSexTe1−x (x = 0–1) nanocrystals (NCs) with different Se and Te content are prepared by a simple hydrothermal process using a SexTe1−x NC template. Both rod- and dot-shaped NCs are obtained, a variation from the rod-shaped SexTe1−x template. The Ag2+δSexTe1−x NC thin films are dense with an atomic ratio δ between Ag and SexTe1−x that can be controlled in the range of δ = 0.1–0.3. The MR effect of Ag2+δSexTe1−x NCs is found to be related to the composition as well as annealing temperature. MR of the Ag2.2Se0.2Te0.8 NC thin films shows a rapid increase to 68% at 239 K and 8 T, an observation providing very useful fundamental information necessary for future applications in the fabrication of high-quality MR sensors and other electronic devices.