Transparent Conducting Films Based on Carbon Nanotubes: Rational Design toward the Theoretical Limit

Abstract

Electrically conductive thin-film materials possessing high transparency are essential components for many optoelectronic devices. The advancement in the transparent conductor applications requires a replacement of indium tin oxide (ITO), one of the key materials in electronics. ITO and other transparent conductive metal oxides have several drawbacks, including poor flexibility, high refractive index and haze, limited chemical stability, and depleted raw material supply. Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) are a promising alternative for transparent conducting films (TCFs) because of their unique and excellent chemical and physical properties. Here, the latest achievements in the optoelectronic performance of TCFs based on SWCNTs are analyzed.Various approaches to evaluate the performance of transparent electrodes are briefly reviewed. A roadmap for further research and development of the transparent conductors using "rational design," which breaks the deadlock for obtaining the TCFs with a performance close to the theoretical limit, is also described.

Bithiophene as a Sulfur-Based Promotor for the Synthesis of Carbon Nanotubes and Carbon-Carbon Composites

“…We use the generally accepted ratio of intensities for G and D modes of Raman spectra as a figure of quality (as the G band corresponds to vibrations of graphitic lattice, while the D band appears only for distortions in the ideal lattice) [ 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 ]. The equivalent sheet resistance serves as a key performance index for transparent conductors [ 34 ], indirectly describes the length, defectiveness, and diameter of carbon nanotubes [ 35 ], and corresponds to the sheet resistance of a film with 90% transmittance at 550 nm.…”

Machine learning methods for aerosol synthesis of single-walled carbon nanotubes

“…Besides, the search for oxidation agents for the gas-phase post-treatment of SWCNT aerosol focused on the selective etching of semiconducting species might be helpful. The importance of the mentioned methods is highlighted by theoretical calculations on the limits of SWCNT TCF performance, showing long and ideally-ordered armchair nanotubes may exhibit R90 below 100 mΩ/□ [65].…”

“…Therefore, it is deemed to be a preferable technology for SWCNT thin-film production on an industrial scale. It is worth mentioning that the aerosol CVD method provides SWCNT with noticeable better transparent conductive properties compared to other methods [65]. Usually, as a metric of transparent and conductive properties a combination of sheet resistance (𝑅 ) and transmittance (𝑇) in the visible range (e.g.…”

Stretchable Polyaniline@Epoxidized Natural Rubber Composites with Strong 3D Conductive Networks for High Performance Strain Sensors

“…[5][6][7] Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrene sulfonic acid) (PEDOT:PSS), [8][9][10][11][12] polyaniline (PANI), [13,14] DOI: 10.1002/macp.202200365 polypyrrole (PPy), [15,16] and other intrinsic conductive polymers are commonly used conductive materials. Compared with other types of conductive materials such as metal nanowires [17,18] and carbonaceous materials, [19][20][21] conductive polymers have a variety of chemical structures and microor nano-morphologies, and their physical and chemical properties can be designed and controlled as needed. However, conductive polymers tend to slip against the substrate during stretching, especially under large strain.…”