Transparent article with a body and metal oxide disposed directly on the body, facilitating deposition of an electrically conductive and transparent ultra-thin metal film of a noble metal, and method of forming the same

Abstract

An article comprising: (i) a body, the body comprising a material and a transmittance greater than or equal to 90% throughout an electromagnetic radiation wavelength range of 250 nm to 800 nm; and (ii) cupric oxide (CuO) in direct contact with the material of the body, the cupric oxide (CuO) comprising a thickness that is less than or equal to 1.3 nm. Also disclosed is the article further comprising: an ultra-thin metal film disposed directly on the cupric oxide (CuO). The article demonstrates a transmittance greater than or equal to 65% throughout an electromagnetic radiation wavelength range of 300 nm to 1400 nm. The ultra-thin metal film can be silver (Ag), gold (Au), copper (Cu), or platinum (Pt). The ultra-thin metal film comprises a thickness within a range of 1 nm to 5 nm. The article at the ultra-thin metal film has a sheet resistance of less than or equal to 2100 Ω/□. Additionally, a method of forming the article.