J. Mater. Sci. Technol. ›› 2019, Vol. 35 ›› Issue (11): 2447-2462.DOI: 10.1016/j.jmst.2019.07.011

• Orginal Article • Previous Articles     Next Articles

High-performance single-wall carbon nanotube transparent conductive films

Song Jiangabcd, Peng-Xiang Houae, Chang Liuae*(), Hui-Ming Chengabef**()   

  1. aShenyang National Laboratory for Materials Science, Institute of Metal Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang, 110016, China
    bSchool of Physical Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 200031, China
    cState Key Laboratory of Functional Materials for Informatics, Shanghai Institute of Microsystem and Information Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200050, China
    dUniversity of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
    eSchool of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Shenyang, 110016, China
    fTsinghua-Berkeley Shenzhen Institute, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, 518055, China
  • Received:2019-03-07 Revised:2019-04-24 Accepted:2019-06-12 Online:2019-11-05 Published:2019-10-21
  • Contact: Liu Chang,Cheng Hui-Ming
  • About author:

    1The authors equally contributed to this work.

Abstract:

A single-wall carbon nanotube (SWCNT) has superior optical, electrical, and mechanical properties due to its unique structure and is therefore expected to be able to form flexible high-performance transparent conductive films (TCFs). However, the optoelectronic performance of these films needs to be improved to meet the requirements of many devices. The electrical resistivity of SWCNT TCFs is mainly determined by the intrinsic resistivity of individual SWCNTs and their junction resistance in networks. We analyze these key factors and focus on the optimization of SWCNTs and their networks, which include the diameter, length, crystallinity and electrical type of the SWCNTs, and the bundle size and interconnects in networks, as well as chemical doping and microgrid design. We conclude that isolated/small-bundle, heavily doped metallic or semiconducting SWCNTs with a large diameter, long length and high crystallinity are necessary to fabricate high-performance SWCNT TCFs. A simple, controllable way to construct macroscopic SWCNT networks with Y-type connections, welded junctions or microgrid design is important in achieving a low resistivity. Finally, some insights into the key challenges in the manufacture and use of SWCNT TCFs and their prospects are presented, hoping to shed light on promoting the practical application of SWCNT TCFs in future flexible and stretchable optoelectronics.

Key words: Single-wall carbon nanotube, Transparent conductive film, Junction resistance, Bundle, Doping