Abstract
Understanding physics governing alloy nanofilm formation with precisely controlled nanostructure and electronic functionality is central to developing next-generation nanoscale technologies. However, achieving simultaneous control of structural continuity and charge transport remains a fundamental challenge. To address this challenge, we have synthesized Pr–Ni–Co (PNC) alloy nanofilms by DC magnetron sputtering and uncovered how deposition time governs their growth pathway. At short deposition times, the film forms discontinuous islands, whereas extended deposition results in rapid coalescence into a continuous and increasingly ordered layer. This morphological transition produces a marked drop in electrical resistance, signaling the emergence of a fully percolated conduction network. Our findings identify deposition time as a decisive parameter coupling microstructural evolution with electronic transport in rare-earth metal alloys, establishing PNC nanofilms as a promising platform for advanced electronic and magnetic technologies, with potential relevance to catalytic systems.