Abstract
An improvement of the optical properties of switchable mirrors is obtained by incorporating of silver (Ag) into the palladium (Pd) cap layer of nanocrystalline gadolinium hydride system Gd/GdH3. Two methods for modification of Pd layer with Ag are employed. The first method is the forming of an AgPd binary alloy. The second method is the forming of Ag/Pd bilayer. In both cases the modification of the catalytic top layer of Pd with Ag gives higher transparency and better switching times. The optimal Ag layer thickness for the Gd/GdH3 system is determined. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.