The present work deals with NiO/Si3N4 layers formed by depositing nickel oxide (NiO) thin films over silicon nitrate (Si3N[Formula: see text] thin films. NiO films were coated on Si3N4-coated Si substrate using magnetron sputtering method by changing duration of coating time and were analyzed using X-ray diffractometer, field emission-scanning electron microscopy, UV–Vis spectrophotometer and four-point probe method to study the influence of thickness on physical properties. Crystallinity of the deposited films increases with increase in thickness. All films exhibited spherical-like structure, and with increase in deposition time, grains are coalesced to form smooth surface morphology. The optical bandgap of NiO films was found to decrease from 3.31[Formula: see text]eV to 3.22[Formula: see text]eV with upsurge in the thickness. The film deposited for 30[Formula: see text]min exhibits temperature coefficient resistance of [Formula: see text]1.77%/[Formula: see text]C as measured at 80[Formula: see text]C.