Enhancement of the effectiveness of graphene as a transparent conductive electrode by AgNO₃ doping

Nanotechnology. 2014 Mar 28;25(12):125701. doi: 10.1088/0957-4484/25/12/125701. Epub 2014 Feb 26.

Abstract

Single-layer graphene sheets have been synthesized by using chemical vapor deposition, and subsequently doped with AgNO₃ at various doping concentrations (n(D)) from 5 to 50 mM. Atomic force microscopy and field emission scanning electron microscopy images reveal the formation of ∼10-100 nm Ag particles on the graphene surface after doping. The type of n doping is confirmed by analyzing the n(D)-dependent behaviors of Raman scattering and the work function of the doped graphene films. The sheet resistance monotonically decreases to ∼173 Ω/sq with the increase of n(D) to 50 mM, and the transmittance is reduced by only about 3% for the highest n(D). At n(D) = 10 mM optimized doped graphene layers with a sheet resistance of 202 Ω/sq and a transmittance of 96% are obtained, resulting in a maximum DC conductivity/optical conductivity ratio (σ(DC)/σ(OP)) of ∼45.5, much larger than the minimum industry standard (σ(DC)/σ(OP) = ∼35) for transparent conductive electrodes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't