High-performance carbon nanotube transparent conductive films by scalable dip coating

ACS Nano. 2012 Nov 27;6(11):9737-44. doi: 10.1021/nn303201g. Epub 2012 Oct 12.

Abstract

Transparent conductive carbon nanotube (CNT) films were fabricated by dip-coating solutions of pristine CNTs dissolved in chlorosulfonic acid (CSA) and then removing the CSA. The film performance and morphology (including alignment) were controlled by the CNT length, solution concentration, coating speed, and level of doping. Using long CNTs (∼10 μm), uniform films were produced with excellent optoelectrical performance (∼100 Ω/sq sheet resistance at ∼90% transmittance in the visible), in the range of applied interest for touch screens and flexible electronics. This technique has potential for commercialization because it preserves the length and quality of the CNTs (leading to enhanced film performance) and operates at high CNT concentration and coating speed without using surfactants (decreasing production costs).

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adsorption
  • Crystallization / methods*
  • Electric Conductivity
  • Macromolecular Substances / chemistry
  • Materials Testing
  • Membranes, Artificial*
  • Nanotechnology / methods*
  • Nanotubes, Carbon / chemistry*
  • Nanotubes, Carbon / ultrastructure*
  • Particle Size
  • Refractometry / methods
  • Surface Properties

Substances

  • Macromolecular Substances
  • Membranes, Artificial
  • Nanotubes, Carbon