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Almasri RM, Ladouceur F, Mawad D, Esrafilzadeh D, Firth J, Lehmann T, Poole-Warren LA, Lovell NH, Al Abed A. Emerging trends in the development of flexible optrode arrays for electrophysiology. APL Bioeng 2023; 7:031503. [PMID: 37692375 PMCID: PMC10491464 DOI: 10.1063/5.0153753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Optical-electrode (optrode) arrays use light to modulate excitable biological tissues and/or transduce bioelectrical signals into the optical domain. Light offers several advantages over electrical wiring, including the ability to encode multiple data channels within a single beam. This approach is at the forefront of innovation aimed at increasing spatial resolution and channel count in multichannel electrophysiology systems. This review presents an overview of devices and material systems that utilize light for electrophysiology recording and stimulation. The work focuses on the current and emerging methods and their applications, and provides a detailed discussion of the design and fabrication of flexible arrayed devices. Optrode arrays feature components non-existent in conventional multi-electrode arrays, such as waveguides, optical circuitry, light-emitting diodes, and optoelectronic and light-sensitive functional materials, packaged in planar, penetrating, or endoscopic forms. Often these are combined with dielectric and conductive structures and, less frequently, with multi-functional sensors. While creating flexible optrode arrays is feasible and necessary to minimize tissue-device mechanical mismatch, key factors must be considered for regulatory approval and clinical use. These include the biocompatibility of optical and photonic components. Additionally, material selection should match the operating wavelength of the specific electrophysiology application, minimizing light scattering and optical losses under physiologically induced stresses and strains. Flexible and soft variants of traditionally rigid photonic circuitry for passive optical multiplexing should be developed to advance the field. We evaluate fabrication techniques against these requirements. We foresee a future whereby established telecommunications techniques are engineered into flexible optrode arrays to enable unprecedented large-scale high-resolution electrophysiology systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reem M. Almasri
- Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, UNSW, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | | | - Damia Mawad
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, UNSW, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Dorna Esrafilzadeh
- Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, UNSW, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Josiah Firth
- Australian National Fabrication Facility, UNSW, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Torsten Lehmann
- School of Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications, UNSW, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | | | | | - Amr Al Abed
- Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, UNSW, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
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2
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Vo TTB, Lim J, Joo SH, Kim H, Lee T, Bae JS, Jeong E, Kwon MS, Yun J, Choi D. Smooth, Chemically Altered Nucleating Platform for Abrupt Performance Enhancement of Ultrathin Cu-Layer-Based Transparent Electrodes. NANO LETTERS 2023. [PMID: 37432884 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.3c01546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/13/2023]
Abstract
Rapid advances in flexible optoelectronic devices necessitate the concomitant development of high-performance, cost-efficient, and flexible transparent conductive electrodes (TCEs). This Letter reports an abrupt enhancement in the optoelectronic characteristics of ultrathin Cu-layer-based TCEs via Ar+-mediated modulation of the chemical and physical states of a ZnO support surface. This approach strongly regulates the growth mode for the subsequently deposited Cu layer, in addition to marked alteration to the ZnO/Cu interface states, resulting in exceptional TCE performance in the form of ZnO/Cu/ZnO TCEs. The resultant Haacke figure of merit (T10/Rs) of 0.063 Ω-1, 53% greater than that of the unaltered, otherwise identical structure, corresponds to a record-high value for Cu-layer-based TCEs. Moreover, the enhanced TCE performance in this approach is shown to be highly sustainable under severe simultaneous loadings of electrical, thermal, and mechanical stresses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tran Thi Bao Vo
- School of Advanced Materials Engineering, Dong-Eui University, 176 Eomgwangro, Busan 47340, Republic of Korea
| | - Jaeun Lim
- School of Advanced Materials Engineering, Dong-Eui University, 176 Eomgwangro, Busan 47340, Republic of Korea
| | - Si Hyeon Joo
- School of Advanced Materials Engineering, Dong-Eui University, 176 Eomgwangro, Busan 47340, Republic of Korea
| | - Heechang Kim
- School of Advanced Materials Engineering, Dong-Eui University, 176 Eomgwangro, Busan 47340, Republic of Korea
| | - Taehyeong Lee
- School of Advanced Materials Engineering, Dong-Eui University, 176 Eomgwangro, Busan 47340, Republic of Korea
| | - Jong-Seong Bae
- Korea Basic Science Institute (Busan Center), 1 Gwahaksandanro, Busan 46742, Republic of Korea
| | - Eunwook Jeong
- Extreme Materials Institute, Korea Institute of Materials Science, Changwon, Gyeongnam 51508, Republic of Korea
| | - Min-Suk Kwon
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
| | - Jungheum Yun
- Extreme Materials Institute, Korea Institute of Materials Science, Changwon, Gyeongnam 51508, Republic of Korea
| | - Dooho Choi
- School of Advanced Materials Engineering, Dong-Eui University, 176 Eomgwangro, Busan 47340, Republic of Korea
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3
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Suh BL, Kang G, Yoon SM, Cho S, Moon MW, Sung YM, Kim MS, Hur K. Dimensional Control of Highly Anisotropic and Transparent Conductive Coordination Polymers for Solution-Processable Large-Scale 2D Sheets. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2023; 35:e2206980. [PMID: 36271591 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202206980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 09/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Controlling the dimensional aspect of conductive coordination polymers is currently a key scientific interest. Herein, solution-based dimension control strategies are proposed for copper chloride thiourea (CuCl-TU) coordination polymers that enable centimeter-scale, 2D nanosheet formation for use as transparent electrodes. Despite the wide bandgap of CuCl-TU polymers (4.33 eV), through polaron-mediated electron transfer, the electrical conductivity of the 2D sheet at room temperature is able to reach 4.45 S cm-1 without intentional doping. This leads to a highly anisotropic electronic conductivity of up to the order of ≈103 differences, depending on the material orientation. Furthermore, by substituting alternative thiourea candidates, it is demonstrated that it is possible to predesign CuCl-TU structures with the desired functionality, stability, and porosity through dimensional control. These findings provide a blueprint to design next-generation transparent conducting materials that can operate at room temperature, thereby expanding their applicability to different fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bong Lim Suh
- Extreme Materials Research Center, Advanced Materials Research Division, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Goun Kang
- Extreme Materials Research Center, Advanced Materials Research Division, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, 02792, Republic of Korea
- Department of Material Science and Engineering, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Sun Mi Yoon
- Extreme Materials Research Center, Advanced Materials Research Division, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Sanghyun Cho
- Extreme Materials Research Center, Advanced Materials Research Division, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Myoung-Woon Moon
- Extreme Materials Research Center, Advanced Materials Research Division, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Yun-Mo Sung
- Department of Material Science and Engineering, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Min-Seok Kim
- Extreme Materials Research Center, Advanced Materials Research Division, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Kahyun Hur
- Extreme Materials Research Center, Advanced Materials Research Division, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, 02792, Republic of Korea
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4
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Esteki K, Manning HG, Sheerin E, Ferreira MS, Boland JJ, Gomes da Rocha C. Tuning the electro-optical properties of nanowire networks. NANOSCALE 2021; 13:15369-15379. [PMID: 34498659 DOI: 10.1039/d1nr03944j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Conductive and transparent metallic nanowire networks are regarded as promising alternatives to Indium-Tin-Oxides (ITOs) in emerging flexible next-generation technologies due to their prominent optoelectronic properties and low-cost fabrication. The performance of such systems closely relies on many geometrical, physical, and intrinsic properties of the nanowire materials as well as the device-layout. A comprehensive computational study is essential to model and quantify the device's optical and electrical responses prior to fabrication. Here, we present a computational toolkit that exploits the electro-optical specifications of distinct device-layouts, namely standard random nanowire network and transparent mesh pattern structures. The target materials for transparent conducting electrodes of this study are aluminium, gold, copper, and silver nanowires. We have examined a variety of tunable parameters including network area fraction, length to diameter aspect ratio, and nanowires angular orientations under different device designs. Moreover, the optical extinction efficiency factors of each material are estimated by two approaches: Mie light scattering theory and finite element method (FEM) algorithm implemented in COMSOL®Multiphysics software. We studied various nanowire network structures and calculated their respective figures of merit (optical transmittance versus sheet resistance) from which insights on the design of next-generation transparent conductor devices can be inferred.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koorosh Esteki
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada.
| | - Hugh G Manning
- School of Chemistry, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
- Advanced Materials and Bioengineering Research (AMBER) Centre, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Emmet Sheerin
- School of Chemistry, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
- Advanced Materials and Bioengineering Research (AMBER) Centre, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Mauro S Ferreira
- Advanced Materials and Bioengineering Research (AMBER) Centre, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
- School of Physics, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - John J Boland
- School of Chemistry, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
- Advanced Materials and Bioengineering Research (AMBER) Centre, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Claudia Gomes da Rocha
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada.
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada
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5
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Mitin D, Berdnikov Y, Vorobyev A, Mozharov A, Raudik S, Koval O, Neplokh V, Moiseev E, Ilatovskii D, Nasibulin AG, Mukhin I. Optimization of Optoelectronic Properties of Patterned Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube Films. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2020; 12:55141-55147. [PMID: 33249829 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.0c14783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
We propose a novel strategy to enhance optoelectrical properties of single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) films for transparent electrode applications by film patterning. First, we theoretically considered the effect of the conducting pattern geometry on the film quality factor and then experimentally examined the calculated structures. We extend these results to show that the best characteristics of patterned SWCNT films can be achieved using the combination of initial film properties: low transmittance and high conductivity. The proposed strategy allows the patterned layers of SWCNTs to outperform the widely used indium-tin-oxide electrodes on both flexible and rigid substrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dmitry Mitin
- Saint Petersburg Academic University, 8 Khlopina, bld. 3A, St. Petersburg 194021, Russia
- Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, 29 Politekhnicheskaya, St. Petersburg 195251, Russia
| | - Yury Berdnikov
- ITMO University, 49 Kronverksky pr., St. Petersburg 197101, Russia
| | - Alexandr Vorobyev
- Saint Petersburg Academic University, 8 Khlopina, bld. 3A, St. Petersburg 194021, Russia
| | - Alexey Mozharov
- Saint Petersburg Academic University, 8 Khlopina, bld. 3A, St. Petersburg 194021, Russia
| | - Sergei Raudik
- Saint Petersburg Academic University, 8 Khlopina, bld. 3A, St. Petersburg 194021, Russia
- Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Nobel 3, Moscow 121205, Russia
| | - Olga Koval
- Saint Petersburg Academic University, 8 Khlopina, bld. 3A, St. Petersburg 194021, Russia
| | - Vladimir Neplokh
- Saint Petersburg Academic University, 8 Khlopina, bld. 3A, St. Petersburg 194021, Russia
| | - Eduard Moiseev
- National Research University Higher School of Economics, 16 Soyuza Pechatnikov, St. Petersburg 190008, Russia
| | - Daniil Ilatovskii
- Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Nobel 3, Moscow 121205, Russia
| | - Albert G Nasibulin
- Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Nobel 3, Moscow 121205, Russia
- Aalto University, P.O. Box 16100, FI-00076 Aalto, Espoo, Finland
| | - Ivan Mukhin
- Saint Petersburg Academic University, 8 Khlopina, bld. 3A, St. Petersburg 194021, Russia
- ITMO University, 49 Kronverksky pr., St. Petersburg 197101, Russia
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6
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Effect of Flash Light Sintering on Silver Nanowire Electrode Networks. MATERIALS 2020; 13:ma13020404. [PMID: 31952283 PMCID: PMC7014184 DOI: 10.3390/ma13020404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2019] [Revised: 01/10/2020] [Accepted: 01/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
We investigated the flash light sintering process to effectively reduce electrical resistance in silver nanowire networks. The optimum condition of the flash light sintering process reduces the electrical resistance by ~20%, while the effect of the conventional thermal annealing processes is rather limited for silver nanowire networks. After flash light sintering, the morphology of the junction between the silver nanowires changes to a mixed-phase structure of the two individual nanowires. This facile and fast process for silver nanowire welding could be highly advantageous to the mass production of silver nanowire networks.
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Bauch M, Dimopoulos T, Trassl S. Nanostructured, ultrathin silver-based transparent electrode with broadband near-infrared plasmonic resonance. NANOTECHNOLOGY 2019; 30:265201. [PMID: 30840928 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6528/ab0d39] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
A nanostructured transparent electrode with high average visible transmittance of 76%, low sheet resistance of 7.0 Ω/sq and steep transmittance drop in the near-infrared (NIR) range is investigated by simulations and experiments. The electrode is composed of a nanostructured substrate, on which a trilayer, consisting of an ultrathin 14 nm thick silver film embedded between thin films of TiO2 and Al-doped ZnO, is deposited. Directional silver deposition results in the formation of a disk-hole array without additional lift-off or etching steps. While the trilayer approach enables increased visible transmittance, the transmittance in the NIR regime is decreased by a broadband plasmonic dipole excitation in the disk-hole array. Moreover, a rich mode spectrum of weaker multipole surface plasmon excitations is observed in the nanodisk- and nanohole array. The presented electrode holds great potential for applications in optoelectronic devices, solar control coatings and solar cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Bauch
- Photovoltaic Systems, AIT-Austrian Institute of Technology, Giefinggasse 4, A-1210 Vienna, Austria
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8
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Chang L, Zhang X, Ding Y, Liu H, Liu M, Jiang L. Ionogel/Copper Grid Composites for High-Performance, Ultra-Stable Flexible Transparent Electrodes. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2018; 10:29010-29018. [PMID: 30080390 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.8b09023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Production of high-performance and stable low-cost copper (Cu)-based flexible transparent electrodes (FTEs) is urgently needed for the development of new-generation flexible optoelectronic devices, but it still remains challenging. Herein, we developed a facile approach to fabricate high-performance, ultra-stable Cu grid (CuG)-based FTEs by UV lithography-assisted electroless deposition of patterned Cu on flexible polyethylene terephthalate (PET), which is then encapsulated by a thin poly(1-vinyl-3-ethylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide) (P[VEIM][NTf2]) ionogel layer to improve the mechanical flexibility and stability. The as-prepared composite FTE (ionogel/CuG@PET) exhibits a sheet resistance of 10.9 Ω sq-1 and optical transmittance of 90% at 550 nm. Introduction of the thin uniform P[VEIM][NTf2] ionogel nanofilm by virtue of the superwettability of the Cu layer endows the electrode with excellent mechanical flexibility and stability. This new high-performance Cu-based FTE should be an attractive alternative to indium tin oxide for practical optoelectrical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Chang
- State Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Nonferrous Metal Chemistry and Resources Utilization of Gansu Province and Department of Chemistry , Lanzhou University , Lanzhou 730000 , P. R. China
| | - Xiqi Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Bio-inspired Materials and Interfacial Science, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry , Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing 100190 , P. R. China
| | - Yi Ding
- Beijing National Laboratory of Molecular Sciences (BNLMS), Key Laboratory of Organic Solid, Institute of Chemistry , Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing 100190 , P. R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing 100049 , P. R. China
| | - Hongliang Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Bio-inspired Materials and Interfacial Science, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry , Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing 100190 , P. R. China
| | - Mingzhu Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Nonferrous Metal Chemistry and Resources Utilization of Gansu Province and Department of Chemistry , Lanzhou University , Lanzhou 730000 , P. R. China
| | - Lei Jiang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Bio-inspired Materials and Interfacial Science, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry , Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing 100190 , P. R. China
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9
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Sim H, Kim C, Bok S, Kim MK, Oh H, Lim GH, Cho SM, Lim B. Five-minute synthesis of silver nanowires and their roll-to-roll processing for large-area organic light emitting diodes. NANOSCALE 2018; 10:12087-12092. [PMID: 29911713 DOI: 10.1039/c8nr02242a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Silver (Ag) nanowires (NWs) are promising building blocks for flexible transparent electrodes, which are key components in fabricating soft electronic devices such as flexible organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs). Typically, Ag NWs have been synthesized using a polyol method, but it still remains a challenge to produce high-aspect-ratio Ag NWs via a simple and rapid process. In this work, we developed a modified polyol method and newly found that the addition of propylene glycol to ethylene glycol-based polyol synthesis facilitated the growth of Ag NWs, allowing the rapid production of long Ag NWs with high aspect ratios of about 2000 in a high yield (∼90%) within 5 min. Transparent electrodes fabricated with our Ag NWs exhibited performance comparable to that of an indium tin oxide-based electrode. With these Ag NWs, we successfully demonstrated the fabrication of a large-area flexible OLED with dimensions of 30 cm × 15 cm using a roll-to-roll process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hwansu Sim
- School of Advanced Materials Science and Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU), Suwon 16419, South Korea.
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10
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Dong Q, Hara Y, Vrouwenvelder KT, Shin KT, Compiano JA, Saif M, Lopez R. Superflexibility of ITO Electrodes via Submicron Patterning. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2018; 10:10339-10346. [PMID: 29510021 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.7b19098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Indium tin oxide (ITO) is the premier choice for transparent conductive electrodes in optoelectronic devices despite its inherent brittleness. Here we report the fabrication of a grating-like structure that obviates ITO's mechanical limitations while retaining its resistivity and optical qualities. ITO nanopatterned films exhibited a resistivity <1.3 × 10-3 Ω cm, which surpassed all previously reported values for flexible ITO, with a normal transmission >90% across the whole visible spectrum range. We demonstrate the nanopatterned ITO retains extraordinary flexibility and durability on heat-sensitive substrates, accommodating cyclic bending to a curvature diameter of at least 3.2 mm for over 50 cycles of compressive and decompressive flexing without significant deterioration of its resistivity or optical properties. Moreover, 2-dimensional extrapolation shows that multiaxial bending is also feasible while maintaining mechanical flexibility, durability, and optical transparency.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Mohtashim Saif
- Eastman Chemical Company, Canoga Park , California 91304 , United States
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11
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Jang S, Kim C, Park JJ, Jin ML, Kim SJ, Park OO, Kim TS, Jung HT. A High Aspect Ratio Serpentine Structure for Use As a Strain-Insensitive, Stretchable Transparent Conductor. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2018; 14:1702818. [PMID: 29280274 DOI: 10.1002/smll.201702818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2017] [Revised: 11/08/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The development of strain-insensitive stretchable transparent conductors (TCs) is essential for manufacturing stretchable electronics. Despite recent progress, achieving a high optoelectronic performance under applied strain of 50% continues to present a significant challenge in this research field. Herein, an ultratall and ultrathin high aspect ratio serpentine metal structure is described that exhibits a remarkable stretching ability (the resistance remains constant under applied strain of 100%) and simultaneously provides an excellent transparent conducting performance (with a sheet resistance of 7.6 Ω -1 and a transmittance of 90.5%). It is demonstrated that the highly stretchable transparent conducting properties can be attributed to the high aspect ratio feature. A high aspect ratio (aspect ratio of 17-367) structure permits facile deformation of the serpentine structure with in-plane motion, leading to a high stretching ability. In addition, this structural feature avoids the classic tradeoff between optical transmittance and electrical conductance, providing a high electrical conductance without decreasing the optical transmittance. The practical utility of these devices is tested by using these TCs as stretchable interconnectors among LEDs or in wearable VOC gas sensors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sungwoo Jang
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 305-701, Republic of Korea
| | - Choelgyu Kim
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 305-701, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung Jin Park
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 305-701, Republic of Korea
| | - Ming Liang Jin
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 305-701, Republic of Korea
| | - Seon Joon Kim
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 305-701, Republic of Korea
| | - O Ok Park
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 305-701, Republic of Korea
| | - Taek-Soo Kim
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 305-701, Republic of Korea
| | - Hee-Tae Jung
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 305-701, Republic of Korea
- KAIST Institute for the NanoCentury, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 305-701, Republic of Korea
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12
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Kwon Y, Seo J, Kang Y, Kim D, Kim J. Bifacial CdS/CdTe thin-film solar cells using a transparent silver nanowire/indium tin oxide back contact. OPTICS EXPRESS 2018; 26:A30-A38. [PMID: 29402053 DOI: 10.1364/oe.26.000a30] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2017] [Accepted: 11/16/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
A hybrid silver nanowires (AgNWs)/indium tin oxide (ITO) contact was used as a transparent back-electrode to fabricate a bifacial CdS/CdTe thin-film solar cell. The photovoltaic properties of the bifacial CdS/CdTe thin-film solar cell were investigated under front and back illumination conditions. The hybrid AgNWs/ITO back contact changed the average conversion efficiency from 0.4% (front) and 3.5% (rear) to 8.1% (front) and 0.9% (rear), respectively, improving the sum efficiency from 3.9% (ITO-only) to 9.0%. Our research demonstrates the use of a nanowire network as a transparent electrode in CdS/CdTe thin-film solar cells for bifacial or tandem applications.
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13
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Wang W, Cui Y, Fung KH, Zhang Y, Ji T, Hao Y. Comparison of Nanohole-Type and Nanopillar-Type Patterned Metallic Electrodes Incorporated in Organic Solar Cells. NANOSCALE RESEARCH LETTERS 2017; 12:538. [PMID: 28929451 PMCID: PMC5605478 DOI: 10.1186/s11671-017-2310-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2017] [Accepted: 09/09/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Both the nanohole- and nanopillar-type patterned metallic electrodes (PMEs) have been introduced in organic solar cells (OSCs) for improving device performances experimentally, but there is few work addressing the similarities and differences between them. In this theoretical work, we systematically compare the impact of the nanohole- and nanopillar-type PMEs on the performance of an OSC based on hybridized cavity resonances. By optimizing the geometrical parameters of each PME, we obtained an interesting result that the integrated absorption efficiencies in the active layer with different optimized PMEs are almost the same (both are equal to 82.4%), outperforming that of the planar control by 9.9%. Though the absorption enhancement spectra of the two different optimal devices are similar as well, the mechanisms of light trapping at the corresponding enhancement peaks are distinct from each other. In a comprehensive view, the nanopillar-type PME is suggested to be applied in the present system, since its optimal design has a moderate filling ratio, which is much easier to fabricate than its counterpart. This work could contribute to the development of high-efficiency OSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenyan Wang
- Key Lab of Advanced Transducers and Intelligent Control System of Ministry of Education, College of Physics and Optoelectronics, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan, 030024, China
- Department of Applied Physics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong
| | - Yanxia Cui
- Key Lab of Advanced Transducers and Intelligent Control System of Ministry of Education, College of Physics and Optoelectronics, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan, 030024, China.
| | - Kin Hung Fung
- Department of Applied Physics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong
| | - Ye Zhang
- Key Lab of Advanced Transducers and Intelligent Control System of Ministry of Education, College of Physics and Optoelectronics, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan, 030024, China
| | - Ting Ji
- Key Lab of Advanced Transducers and Intelligent Control System of Ministry of Education, College of Physics and Optoelectronics, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan, 030024, China
| | - Yuying Hao
- Key Lab of Advanced Transducers and Intelligent Control System of Ministry of Education, College of Physics and Optoelectronics, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan, 030024, China
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14
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Kim JH, Kwon SN, Na SI, Yoo YZ, Seong TY. Inverted Organic Solar Cells Fabricated with Room-Temperature-deposited Transparent Multilayer Electrodes. B KOREAN CHEM SOC 2017. [DOI: 10.1002/bkcs.11183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jun Ho Kim
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering; Korea University; Seoul 02841 Korea
| | - Sung-Nam Kwon
- Professional Graduate School of Flexible and Printable Electronics; Chonbuk National University; Jeollabuk-do 54896 Korea
| | - Seok-In Na
- Professional Graduate School of Flexible and Printable Electronics; Chonbuk National University; Jeollabuk-do 54896 Korea
| | | | - Tae-Yeon Seong
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering; Korea University; Seoul 02841 Korea
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15
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Kim KH, Lee TH, Kim TG. AlN/ITO-Based Hybrid Electrodes with Conducting Filaments: Their Application to Ultraviolet Light-Emitting Diodes. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2017; 9:24357-24364. [PMID: 28671809 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.7b06362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
A hybrid-type transparent conductive electrode (H-TCE) structure comprising an AlN rod array with conducting filaments (CFs) and indium tin oxide (ITO) films is proposed to improve both current injection and distribution as well as optical transmittance in the UV region. These CFs, generated in UV-transparent AlN rod areas using an electric field, can be used as conducting paths for carrier injection from a metal to a semiconductor such as p-(Al)GaN, which allows perfect Ohmic behavior with high transmittance (>95% at 365 nm) to be obtained. In addition, conduction across AlN rods and Ohmic conduction mechanisms are investigated by analyzing AlN rods and AlN rod/p-AlGaN film interfaces. We apply these H-TCEs to three near-UV light-emitting diodes (LEDs) (385 nm LEDs with p-GaN and p-AlGaN terminated surfaces and 365 nm LED with p-AlGaN terminated surface). We confirm that the light power outputs increase by 66%, 79%, and 103%, whereas the forward voltages reduce by 5.6%, 10.2%, and 8.6% for 385 nm p-GaN terminated, 385 nm p-AlGaN terminated, and 365 nm p-AlGaN terminated LEDs with H-TCEs, respectively, compared to LEDs with reference ITOs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyeong Heon Kim
- School of Electrical Engineering, Korea University , Seoul 136-701, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae Ho Lee
- School of Electrical Engineering, Korea University , Seoul 136-701, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae Geun Kim
- School of Electrical Engineering, Korea University , Seoul 136-701, Republic of Korea
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16
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Deelen JV, Omar A, Barink M. Optical Design of Textured Thin-Film CIGS Solar Cells with Nearly-Invisible Nanowire Assisted Front Contacts. MATERIALS 2017; 10:ma10040392. [PMID: 28772750 PMCID: PMC5506992 DOI: 10.3390/ma10040392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2017] [Revised: 04/04/2017] [Accepted: 04/04/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The conductivity of transparent front contacts can be improved by patterned metallic nanowires, albeit at the cost of optical loss. The associated optical penalty can be strongly reduced by texturization of the cell stack. Remarkably, the nanowires themselves are not textured and not covered in our design. This was shown by optical modeling where the width of the nanowire, the texture height and the texture period were varied in order to obtain a good insight into the general trends. The optical performance can be improved dramatically as the reflection, which is the largest optical loss, can be reduced by 95% of the original value. The spectra reveal absorption in the Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGS) layer of 95% and reflection below 2% over a large part of the spectrum. In essence, a virtually black CIGS cell stack can be achieved for textured cells with a metal nanogrid. Moreover, it turned out that the ratio between the width of the nanowire and the height of the texture is a critical parameter for optical losses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joop van Deelen
- TNO/Solliance, High Tech Campus 21, 5656 AE Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
| | - Ahmed Omar
- TNO/Solliance, High Tech Campus 21, 5656 AE Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
| | - Marco Barink
- TNO/Holst, High Tech Campus 31, 5656 AE Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
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17
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Gebeyehu MB, Chala TF, Chang SY, Wu CM, Lee JY. Synthesis and highly effective purification of silver nanowires to enhance transmittance at low sheet resistance with simple polyol and scalable selective precipitation method. RSC Adv 2017. [DOI: 10.1039/c7ra00238f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The high quality transparent conducting film (TCF) at a low sheet resistance of uniform and purified silver nanowires (AgNWs) have been successfully produced, the optoelectronic performance, which exceeds that of indium tin oxide (ITO).
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Affiliation(s)
- Molla Bahiru Gebeyehu
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering
- National Taiwan University of Science and Technology
- Taipei 10607
- Republic of China
| | - Tolesa Fita Chala
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering
- National Taiwan University of Science and Technology
- Taipei 10607
- Republic of China
| | - Shao-Yen Chang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering
- National Taiwan University of Science and Technology
- Taipei 10607
- Republic of China
| | - Chang-Mou Wu
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering
- National Taiwan University of Science and Technology
- Taipei 10607
- Republic of China
| | - Jiunn-Yih Lee
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering
- National Taiwan University of Science and Technology
- Taipei 10607
- Republic of China
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18
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Lee TH, Kim KH, Lee BR, Park JH, Schubert EF, Kim TG. Glass-Based Transparent Conductive Electrode: Its Application to Visible-to-Ultraviolet Light-Emitting Diodes. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2016; 8:35668-35677. [PMID: 27990816 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.6b12767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Nitride-based ultraviolet light-emitting diodes (UV LEDs) are promising replacements for conventional UV lamps. However, the external quantum efficiency of UV LEDs is much lower than for visible LEDs due to light absorption in the p-GaN contact and electrode layers, along with p-AlGaN growth and doping issues. To minimize such absorption, we should obtain direct ohmic contact to p-AlGaN using UV-transparent ohmic electrodes and not use p-GaN as a contact layer. Here, we propose a glass-based transparent conductive electrode (TCE) produced using electrical breakdown (EBD) of an AlN thin film, and we apply the thin film to four (Al)GaN-based visible and UV LEDs with thin buffer layers for current spreading and damage protection. Compared to LEDs with optimal ITO contacts, our LEDs with AlN TCEs exhibit a lower forward voltage, higher light output power, and brighter light emission for all samples. The ohmic transport mechanism for current injection and spreading from the metal electrode to p-(Al)GaN layer via AlN TCE is also investigated by analyzing the p-(Al)GaN surface before and after EBD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tae Ho Lee
- School of Electrical Engineering, Korea University , Anam-dong 5-ga, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 136-701, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyeong Heon Kim
- School of Electrical Engineering, Korea University , Anam-dong 5-ga, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 136-701, Republic of Korea
| | - Byeong Ryong Lee
- School of Electrical Engineering, Korea University , Anam-dong 5-ga, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 136-701, Republic of Korea
| | - Ju Hyun Park
- School of Electrical Engineering, Korea University , Anam-dong 5-ga, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 136-701, Republic of Korea
| | - E Fred Schubert
- Department of Electrical Computer and Systems Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute , 110 Eighth Street, Troy, New York 12180, United States
| | - Tae Geun Kim
- School of Electrical Engineering, Korea University , Anam-dong 5-ga, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 136-701, Republic of Korea
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19
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Jang S, Jung WB, Kim C, Won P, Lee SG, Cho KM, Jin ML, An CJ, Jeon HJ, Ko SH, Kim TS, Jung HT. A three-dimensional metal grid mesh as a practical alternative to ITO. NANOSCALE 2016; 8:14257-14263. [PMID: 27404907 DOI: 10.1039/c6nr03060b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The development of a practical alternative to indium tin oxide (ITO) is one of the most important issues in flexible optoelectronics. In spite of recent progress in this field, existing approaches to prepare transparent electrodes do not satisfy all of their essential requirements. Here, we present a new substrate-embedded tall (∼350 nm) and thin (∼30 nm) three-dimensional (3D) metal grid mesh structure with a large area, which is prepared via secondary sputtering. This structure satisfies most of the essential requirements of transparent electrodes for practical applications in future opto-electronics: excellent optoelectronic performance (a sheet resistance of 9.8 Ω□(-1) with a transmittance of 85.2%), high stretchability (no significant change in resistance for applied strains <15%), a sub-micrometer mesh period, a flat surface (a root mean square roughness of approximately 5 nm), no haze (approximately 0.5%), and strong adhesion to polymer substrates (it survives attempted detachment with 3M Scotch tape). Such outstanding properties are attributed to the unique substrate-embedded 3D structure of the electrode, which can be obtained with a high aspect ratio and in high resolution over large areas with a simple process. As a demonstration of its suitability for practical applications, our transparent electrode was successfully tested in a flexible touch screen panel. We believe that our approach opens up new practical applications in wearable electronics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sungwoo Jang
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 305-701, Republic of Korea.
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20
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Oener SZ, van de Groep J, Macco B, Bronsveld PCP, Kessels WMM, Polman A, Garnett EC. Metal-Insulator-Semiconductor Nanowire Network Solar Cells. NANO LETTERS 2016; 16:3689-3695. [PMID: 27172429 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.6b00949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Metal-insulator-semiconductor (MIS) junctions provide the charge separating properties of Schottky junctions while circumventing the direct and detrimental contact of the metal with the semiconductor. A passivating and tunnel dielectric is used as a separation layer to reduce carrier recombination and remove Fermi level pinning. When applied to solar cells, these junctions result in two main advantages over traditional p-n-junction solar cells: a highly simplified fabrication process and excellent passivation properties and hence high open-circuit voltages. However, one major drawback of metal-insulator-semiconductor solar cells is that a continuous metal layer is needed to form a junction at the surface of the silicon, which decreases the optical transmittance and hence short-circuit current density. The decrease of transmittance with increasing metal coverage, however, can be overcome by nanoscale structures. Nanowire networks exhibit precisely the properties that are required for MIS solar cells: closely spaced and conductive metal wires to induce an inversion layer for homogeneous charge carrier extraction and simultaneously a high optical transparency. We experimentally demonstrate the nanowire MIS concept by using it to make silicon solar cells with a measured energy conversion efficiency of 7% (∼11% after correction), an effective open-circuit voltage (Voc) of 560 mV and estimated short-circuit current density (Jsc) of 33 mA/cm(2). Furthermore, we show that the metal nanowire network can serve additionally as an etch mask to pattern inverted nanopyramids, decreasing the reflectivity substantially from 36% to ∼4%. Our extensive analysis points out a path toward nanowire based MIS solar cells that exhibit both high Voc and Jsc values.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Z Oener
- Center for Nanophotonics, FOM Institute AMOLF , Science Park 104, 1098 XG, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jorik van de Groep
- Center for Nanophotonics, FOM Institute AMOLF , Science Park 104, 1098 XG, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Bart Macco
- Department of Applied Physics, Eindhoven University of Technology , 5600MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | | | - W M M Kessels
- Department of Applied Physics, Eindhoven University of Technology , 5600MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Albert Polman
- Center for Nanophotonics, FOM Institute AMOLF , Science Park 104, 1098 XG, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Erik C Garnett
- Center for Nanophotonics, FOM Institute AMOLF , Science Park 104, 1098 XG, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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21
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Kang J, Park CG, Lee SH, Cho C, Choi DG, Lee JY. Fabrication of high aspect ratio nanogrid transparent electrodes via capillary assembly of Ag nanoparticles. NANOSCALE 2016; 8:11217-11223. [PMID: 27187802 DOI: 10.1039/c6nr01896c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
In this report, we describe the fabrication of periodic Ag nanogrid electrodes by capillary assembly of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) along patterned nanogrid templates. By assembling the AgNPs into these high-aspect-ratio nanogrid patterns, we can obtain high-aspect-ratio nanogratings, which can overcome the inherent trade-off between the optical transmittance and the sheet resistance of transparent electrodes. The junction resistance between the AgNPs is effectively reduced by photochemical welding and post-annealing. The fabricated high-aspect-ratio nanogrid structure with a line width of 150 nm and a height of 450 nm has a sheet resistance of 15.2 Ω sq(-1) and an optical transmittance of 85.4%.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juhoon Kang
- Graduate School of Energy, Environment, Water, and Sustainability (EEWS), Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 305-701, Republic of Korea.
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22
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Du Y, Tian H, Cui X, Wang X, Lu J, Zhou Z. Super terahertz transparent electrodes. OPTICS EXPRESS 2016; 24:6359-6366. [PMID: 27136827 DOI: 10.1364/oe.24.006359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED The use of DMSO-doped poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly (4-styrenesulfonate) ( PEDOT PSS) thin films produced by spin coating as transparent electrodes is reported. The transmittance of these electrodes at THz frequencies, as well as their surface morphology and electrical conductivity, are subsequently investigated in relation to the thickness of their DMSO-doped PEDOT PSS film. A maximum conductivity of 5078 S/cm is obtained for a single-layer film (52 nm) doped with 15 vol% DMSO in PEDOT PSS solution, providing a transmittance of up to 83.5% at 1.22 THz. The newly proposed blue-phase liquid crystal THz modulator provides continuous tunability and full electrical controllability at THz frequencies.
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23
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Du QG, Yue W, Wang Z, Lau WT, Ren H, Li EP. High optical transmittance of aluminum ultrathin film with hexagonal nanohole arrays as transparent electrode. OPTICS EXPRESS 2016; 24:4680-4688. [PMID: 29092297 DOI: 10.1364/oe.24.004680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
We fabricate samples of aluminum ultrathin films with hexagonal nanohole arrays and characterize the transmission performance. High optical transmittance larger than 60% over a broad wavelength range from 430 nm to 750 nm is attained experimentally. The Fano-type resonance of the excited surface plasmon plaritons and the directly transmitted light attribute to both of the broadband transmission enhancement and the transmission suppression dips.
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24
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Kang S, Kim T, Cho S, Lee Y, Choe A, Walker B, Ko SJ, Kim JY, Ko H. Capillary Printing of Highly Aligned Silver Nanowire Transparent Electrodes for High-Performance Optoelectronic Devices. NANO LETTERS 2015; 15:7933-42. [PMID: 26540011 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.5b03019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Percolation networks of silver nanowires (AgNWs) are commonly used as transparent conductive electrodes (TCEs) for a variety of optoelectronic applications, but there have been no attempts to precisely control the percolation networks of AgNWs that critically affect the performances of TCEs. Here, we introduce a capillary printing technique to precisely control the NW alignment and the percolation behavior of AgNW networks. Notably, partially aligned AgNW networks exhibit a greatly lower percolation threshold, which leads to the substantial improvement of optical transmittance (96.7%) at a similar sheet resistance (19.5 Ω sq(-1)) as compared to random AgNW networks (92.9%, 20 Ω sq(-1)). Polymer light-emitting diodes (PLEDs) using aligned AgNW electrodes show a 30% enhanced maximum luminance (33068 cd m(-2)) compared to that with random AgNWs and a high luminance efficiency (14.25 cd A(-1)), which is the highest value reported so far using indium-free transparent electrodes for fluorescent PLEDs. In addition, polymer solar cells (PSCs) using aligned AgNW electrodes exhibit a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 8.57%, the highest value ever reported to date for PSCs using AgNW electrodes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saewon Kang
- School of Energy and Chemical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) , Ulsan Metropolitan City, 689-798, Republic of Korea
| | - Taehyo Kim
- School of Energy and Chemical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) , Ulsan Metropolitan City, 689-798, Republic of Korea
| | - Seungse Cho
- School of Energy and Chemical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) , Ulsan Metropolitan City, 689-798, Republic of Korea
| | - Youngoh Lee
- School of Energy and Chemical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) , Ulsan Metropolitan City, 689-798, Republic of Korea
| | - Ayoung Choe
- School of Energy and Chemical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) , Ulsan Metropolitan City, 689-798, Republic of Korea
| | - Bright Walker
- School of Energy and Chemical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) , Ulsan Metropolitan City, 689-798, Republic of Korea
| | - Seo-Jin Ko
- School of Energy and Chemical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) , Ulsan Metropolitan City, 689-798, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin Young Kim
- School of Energy and Chemical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) , Ulsan Metropolitan City, 689-798, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyunhyub Ko
- School of Energy and Chemical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) , Ulsan Metropolitan City, 689-798, Republic of Korea
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25
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Stable ultrathin partially oxidized copper film electrode for highly efficient flexible solar cells. Nat Commun 2015; 6:8830. [PMID: 26538008 PMCID: PMC4667621 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms9830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2015] [Accepted: 10/07/2015] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Advances in flexible optoelectronic devices have led to an increasing need for developing highly efficient, low-cost, flexible transparent conducting electrodes. Copper-based electrodes have been unattainable due to the relatively low optical transmission and poor oxidation resistance of copper. Here, we report the synthesis of a completely continuous, smooth copper ultra-thin film via limited copper oxidation with a trace amount of oxygen. The weakly oxidized copper thin film sandwiched between zinc oxide films exhibits good optoelectrical performance (an average transmittance of 83% over the visible spectral range of 400–800 nm and a sheet resistance of 9 Ω sq−1) and strong oxidation resistance. These values surpass those previously reported for copper-based electrodes; further, the record power conversion efficiency of 7.5% makes it clear that the use of an oxidized copper-based transparent electrode on a polymer substrate can provide an effective solution for the fabrication of flexible organic solar cells. Light enters and exits optoelectronic devices through transparent conductive electrodes, which are one of their most expensive components. Here, the authors develop stable transparent conductive electrodes based on copper and oxide layers that lead to efficient flexible organic solar cells.
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26
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Hubarevich A, Marus M, Fan W, Smirnov A, Sun XW, Wang H. Theoretical comparison of optical and electronic properties of uniformly and randomly arranged nano-porous ultra-thin layers. OPTICS EXPRESS 2015; 23:17860-17865. [PMID: 26191847 DOI: 10.1364/oe.23.017860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
The theoretical comparison of optical and electronic properties of aluminum and silver nano-porous ultra-thin layers in terms of the arrangement and size of the pores was presented. The uniform nano-porous layers exhibit a slightly higher average transmittance (up to 10%) in the wavelength range of the plasmonic response in comparison to the randomly arranged ones. Compared to uniform nano-porous layers, a much larger sheet resistance (up to 12 times) for random nano-porous layers is observed. The uniform and random Ag nano-porous layers possessing the strong plasmonic response over whole visible range can reach an average transmittance of 90 and 80% at the sheet resistance of 10 and 20 Ohm/sq, respectively, which is comparable to widely used ITO electrodes.
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27
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van de Groep J, Gupta D, Verschuuren MA, Wienk MM, Janssen RAJ, Polman A. Large-area soft-imprinted nanowire networks as light trapping transparent conductors. Sci Rep 2015; 5:11414. [PMID: 26091006 PMCID: PMC5155569 DOI: 10.1038/srep11414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2015] [Accepted: 05/22/2015] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Using soft-imprint nanolithography, we demonstrate large-area application of engineered two-dimensional polarization-independent networks of silver nanowires as transparent conducting electrodes. These networks have high optical transmittance, low electrical sheet resistance, and at the same time function as a photonic light-trapping structure enhancing optical absorption in the absorber layer of thin-film solar cells. We study the influence of nanowire width and pitch on the network transmittance and sheet resistance, and demonstrate improved performance compared to ITO. Next, we use P3HT-PCBM organic solar cells as a model system to show the realization of nanowire network based functional devices. Using angle-resolved external quantum efficiency measurements, we demonstrate engineered light trapping by coupling to guided modes in the thin absorber layer of the solar cell. Concurrent to the direct observation of controlled light trapping we observe a reduction in photocurrent as a result of increased reflection and parasitic absorption losses; such losses can be minimized by re-optimization of the NW network geometry. Together, these results demonstrate how engineered 2D NW networks can serve as multifunctional structures that unify the functions of a transparent conductor and a light trapping structure. These results are generic and can be applied to any type of optoelectronic device.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorik van de Groep
- Center for Nanophotonics, FOM Institute AMOLF, Science Park 104, 1098 XG Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Dhritiman Gupta
- Departments of Applied Physics and Chemical Engineering &Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology, 5600 MB, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Marc A Verschuuren
- Philips Research Laboratories, High-Tech Campus 4, 5656 AE Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Martijn M Wienk
- Departments of Applied Physics and Chemical Engineering &Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology, 5600 MB, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Rene A J Janssen
- Departments of Applied Physics and Chemical Engineering &Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology, 5600 MB, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Albert Polman
- Center for Nanophotonics, FOM Institute AMOLF, Science Park 104, 1098 XG Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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28
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Bao C, Yang J, Gao H, Li F, Yao Y, Yang B, Fu G, Zhou X, Yu T, Qin Y, Liu J, Zou Z. In situ fabrication of highly conductive metal nanowire networks with high transmittance from deep-ultraviolet to near-infrared. ACS NANO 2015; 9:2502-2509. [PMID: 25738309 DOI: 10.1021/nn504932e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
We have developed a facile and compatible method to in situ fabricate uniform metal nanowire networks on substrates. The as-fabricated metal nanowire networks show low sheet resistance and high transmittance (2.2 Ω sq(-1) at T = 91.1%), which is equivalent to that of the state-of-the-art metal nanowire networks. We demonstrated that the transmittance of the metal networks becomes homogeneous from deep-ultraviolet (200 nm) to near-infrared (2000 nm) when the size of the wire spacing increases to micrometer size. Theoretical and experimental analyses indicated that we can improve the conductivity of the metal networks as well as keep their transmittance by increasing the thickness of the metal films. We also carried out durability tests to demonstrate our as-fabricated metal networks having good flexibility and strong adhesion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunxiong Bao
- †National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, Eco-Materials and Renewable Energy Research Center (ERERC), Department of Physics, ‡Collage of Engineering and Applied Science, and §Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Jie Yang
- †National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, Eco-Materials and Renewable Energy Research Center (ERERC), Department of Physics, ‡Collage of Engineering and Applied Science, and §Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Hao Gao
- †National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, Eco-Materials and Renewable Energy Research Center (ERERC), Department of Physics, ‡Collage of Engineering and Applied Science, and §Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Faming Li
- †National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, Eco-Materials and Renewable Energy Research Center (ERERC), Department of Physics, ‡Collage of Engineering and Applied Science, and §Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Yingfang Yao
- †National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, Eco-Materials and Renewable Energy Research Center (ERERC), Department of Physics, ‡Collage of Engineering and Applied Science, and §Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Bo Yang
- †National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, Eco-Materials and Renewable Energy Research Center (ERERC), Department of Physics, ‡Collage of Engineering and Applied Science, and §Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Gao Fu
- †National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, Eco-Materials and Renewable Energy Research Center (ERERC), Department of Physics, ‡Collage of Engineering and Applied Science, and §Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Xiaoxin Zhou
- †National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, Eco-Materials and Renewable Energy Research Center (ERERC), Department of Physics, ‡Collage of Engineering and Applied Science, and §Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Tao Yu
- †National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, Eco-Materials and Renewable Energy Research Center (ERERC), Department of Physics, ‡Collage of Engineering and Applied Science, and §Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Yiqiang Qin
- †National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, Eco-Materials and Renewable Energy Research Center (ERERC), Department of Physics, ‡Collage of Engineering and Applied Science, and §Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Jianguo Liu
- †National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, Eco-Materials and Renewable Energy Research Center (ERERC), Department of Physics, ‡Collage of Engineering and Applied Science, and §Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Zhigang Zou
- †National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, Eco-Materials and Renewable Energy Research Center (ERERC), Department of Physics, ‡Collage of Engineering and Applied Science, and §Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
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Yang G, Liu B, Cheng K, Du Z. Modulation of optical transmittance and conductivity by the period, linewidth and height of Au square mesh electrodes. OPTICS EXPRESS 2015; 23:A62-A70. [PMID: 25836254 DOI: 10.1364/oe.23.000a62] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Metal transparent conductive electrode (TCE) with surface plasmons has been extensively studied for light absorption enhancement in solar cells and light extraction in Light-Emitting Diodes etc. But its transparent conductive properties and surface plasmons are controlled by its micromorphologies and microstructures. In this work, photoelectric coupling effects and optical transmittance modulations of period, linewidth and height of Au nanowire in square mesh electrode were investigated detailedly using a comprehensive finite-difference time domain calculation stimulation, and then Au square mesh TCEs with the 500 nm in period, 70 nm in height and linewidth ranging from 60 to 100 nm were fabricated using electron beam lithography. The measured results showed that the optical transmittance of the TCEs is about 70% in the 350-700 nm wavelength range and over 80% in the 700-1000 nm range, which accord with the theoretical simulation results. Optical transmittance is affected by reflection loss, localized surface plasmon resonances and surface plasmon polarizations (SPPs) absorption loss, concerned about geometry parameters. SPPs dip peak position exhibits a blue-shift from 844 to 812 nm and the width of peak increases with increasing the linewidth from 60 to 100 nm, The measured surface resistivity of the TCEs with the 500 nm in period, 50 nm in height and 50 nm in linewidth is about 74.5 Ω/m(2), about two times bigger than that of commercial indium tin oxide glass.
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Leem JW, Yu JS. Artificial inverted compound eye structured polymer films with light-harvesting and self-cleaning functions for encapsulated III–V solar cell applications. RSC Adv 2015. [DOI: 10.1039/c5ra05991g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Inverted compound eye structured polydimethylsiloxane (i.e., ICESs PDMS) antireflection layer enhances the solar power generation of encapsulated III–V solar cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jung Woo Leem
- Department of Electronics and Radio Engineering
- Institute for Wearable Convergence Electronics
- Kyung Hee University
- Yongin-si 446-701
- South Korea
| | - Jae Su Yu
- Department of Electronics and Radio Engineering
- Institute for Wearable Convergence Electronics
- Kyung Hee University
- Yongin-si 446-701
- South Korea
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31
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Surface plasmon-polariton mediated red emission from organic light-emitting devices based on metallic electrodes integrated with dual-periodic corrugation. Sci Rep 2014; 4:7108. [PMID: 25407776 PMCID: PMC4236905 DOI: 10.1038/srep07108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2014] [Accepted: 10/29/2014] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
We demonstrate an effective approach to realize excitation and outcoupling of the SPP modes associated with both cathode/organic and anode/organic interfaces in OLEDs by integrating dual-periodic corrugation. The dual-periodic corrugation consists of two set gratings with different periods. The light trapped in the SPP modes associated with both top and bottom electrode/organic interfaces are efficiently extracted from the OLEDs by adjusting appropriate periods of two set corrugations, and a 29% enhancement in the current efficiency has been obtained.
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32
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Lim JW, Lee YT, Pandey R, Yoo TH, Sang BI, Ju BK, Hwang DK, Choi WK. Effect of geometric lattice design on optical/electrical properties of transparent silver grid for organic solar cells. OPTICS EXPRESS 2014; 22:26891-26899. [PMID: 25401837 DOI: 10.1364/oe.22.026891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Silver (Ag) grid transparent electrode is one of the most promising transparent conducting electrodes (TCEs) to replace conventional indium tin oxide (ITO). We systematically investigate an effect of geometric lattice modifications on optical and electrical properties of Ag grid electrode. The reference Ag grid with 5 μm width and 100 μm pitch (duty of 0.05) prepared by conventional photo-lithography and lift-off processes shows the sheet resistance of 13.27 Ω/sq, transmittance of 81.1%, and resultant figure of merit (FOM) of 129.05. Three different modified Ag grid electrodes with stripe added-mesh (SAM), triangle-added mesh (TAM), and diagonal-added mesh (DAM) are suggested to improve optical and electrical properties. Although all three of SAM, TAM, and DAM Ag grid electrodes exhibit the lower transmittance values of about 72 - 77%, they showed much decreased sheet resistance of 6 - 8 Ω/sq. As a result, all of the lattice-modified Ag grid electrodes display significant improvement of FOM and the highest value of 171.14 is obtained from DAM Ag grid, which is comparable to that of conventional ITO electrode (175.46). Also, the feasibility of DAM Ag gird electrode for use in organic solar cell is confirmed by finite difference time domain (FDTD) simulations. Unlike a conventional ITO electrode, DAM Ag grid electrode can induce light scattering and trapping due to the diffuse transmission that compensates for the loss in optical transparency, resulting in comparable light absorption in the photo active layer of poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT): [6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PC₆₀BM). P3HT:PC₆₀BM based OSCs with the DAM Ag grid electrode were fabricated, which also showed the potential for ITO-free transparent electrode.
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33
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Sam FLM, Dabera GDMR, Lai KT, Mills CA, Rozanski LJ, Silva SRP. Hybrid metal grid-polymer-carbon nanotube electrodes for high luminance organic light emitting diodes. NANOTECHNOLOGY 2014; 25:345202. [PMID: 25100801 DOI: 10.1088/0957-4484/25/34/345202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) incorporating grid transparent conducting electrodes (TCEs) with wide grid line spacing suffer from an inability to transfer charge carriers across the gaps in the grids to promote light emission in these areas. High luminance OLEDs fabricated using a hybrid TCE composed of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS PH1000) or regioregular poly(3-hexylthiophene)-wrapped semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes (rrP3HT-SWCNT) in combination with a nanometre thin gold grid are reported here. OLEDs fabricated using the hybrid gold grid/PH1000 TCE have a luminance of 18 000 cd m(-2) at 9 V; the same as the reference indium tin oxide (ITO) OLED. The gold grid/rrP3HT-SWCNT OLEDs have a lower luminance of 8260 cd m(-2) at 9 V, which is likely due to a rougher rrP3HT-SWCNT surface. These results demonstrate that the hybrid gold grid/PH1000 TCE is a promising replacement for ITO in future plastic electronics applications including OLEDs and organic photovoltaics. For applications where surface roughness is not critical, e.g. electrochromic devices or discharge of static electricity, the gold grid/rrP3HT-SWCNT hybrid TCE can be employed.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Laurent M Sam
- Advanced Technology Institute, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 7XH, UK
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34
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Fabrication of wide-bandgap transparent electrodes by using conductive filaments: performance breakthrough in vertical-type GaN LED. Sci Rep 2014; 4:5827. [PMID: 25059757 PMCID: PMC5376051 DOI: 10.1038/srep05827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2014] [Accepted: 07/03/2014] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
For realizing next-generation solid-state lighting devices, performance breakthroughs must be accomplished for nitride-based light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Highly transparent conductive electrodes (TCEs) may be key to achieving this goal, as they provide uniform current injection and distribution across a large device area, eventually increasing the light output power. However, the trade-off between electrical conductivity and optical transmittance of LEDs must be addressed. Herein, we introduce a novel strategy based on TCEs fabricated using wide-bandgap (WB) materials such as SiNx, incorporated beneath the n-type electrode of vertical-type LEDs, and show the feasibility of this strategy. We employ a novel electrical breakdown (EBD) technique to form conductive filaments (or current paths) between a TCE and n-GaN (GaN: gallium nitride). By employing the EBD process, we obtain both ohmic behavior for SiNx TCE/n-GaN and a current spreading effect across n-GaN. These results demonstrate the tremendous potential of WB-TCEs for use in high-performance optoelectronic devices.
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35
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Tsuchiya K, Li Y, Saka M. Consistent melting behavior induced by Joule heating between Ag microwire and nanowire meshes. NANOSCALE RESEARCH LETTERS 2014; 9:239. [PMID: 24910578 PMCID: PMC4032351 DOI: 10.1186/1556-276x-9-239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2014] [Accepted: 05/03/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
The melting behavior of an Ag microwire mesh induced by Joule heating was numerically investigated and compared with that of the corresponding Ag nanowire mesh with the same structure but different geometrical and physical properties of the wire itself. According to the relationship of melting current and melting voltage during the melting process, a similar repetitive zigzag pattern in melting behavior was discovered in both meshes. On this basis, a dimensionless parameter defined as figure of merit was proposed to characterize the current-carrying ability of the mesh. The consistent feature of figure of merit in both meshes indicates that the melting behavior of the Ag nanowire mesh can be predicted from the present results of the corresponding Ag microwire mesh with the same structure but made from a different wire (e.g., different size, different material) through simple conversion. The present findings can provide fundamental insight into the reliability analysis on the metallic nanowire mesh-based transparent conductive electrode.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaoru Tsuchiya
- Department of Nanomechanics, Tohoku University, Aoba 6-6-01, Aramaki, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8579, Japan
| | - Yuan Li
- Department of Nanomechanics, Tohoku University, Aoba 6-6-01, Aramaki, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8579, Japan
| | - Masumi Saka
- Department of Nanomechanics, Tohoku University, Aoba 6-6-01, Aramaki, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8579, Japan
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36
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Wang W, Hao Y, Cui Y, Tian X, Zhang Y, Wang H, Shi F, Wei B, Huang W. High-efficiency, broad-band and wide-angle optical absorption in ultra-thin organic photovoltaic devices. OPTICS EXPRESS 2014; 22 Suppl 2:A376-A385. [PMID: 24922247 DOI: 10.1364/oe.22.00a376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Metal nanogratings as one of the promising architectures for effective light trapping in organic photovoltaics (OPVs) have been actively studied over the past decade. Here we designed a novel metal nanowall grating with ultra-small period and ultra-high aspect-ratio as the back electrode of the OPV device. Such grating results in the strong hot spot effect in-between the neighboring nanowalls and the localized surface plasmon effect at the corners of nanowalls. These combined effects make the integrated absorption efficiency of light over the wavelength range from 400 to 650 nm in the active layer for the proposed structure, with respect to the equivalent planar structure, increases by 102% at TM polarization and by 36.5% at the TM/TE hybrid polarization, respectively. Moreover, it is noted that the hot spot effect in the proposed structure is more effective for ultra-thin active layers, which is very favorable for the exciton dissociation and charge collection. Therefore such a nanowall grating is expected to improve the overall performance of OPV devices.
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37
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Wu H, Menon M, Gates E, Balasubramanian A, Bettinger CJ. Reconfigurable topography for rapid solution processing of transparent conductors. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2014; 26:706-711. [PMID: 24142533 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201302377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2013] [Revised: 07/22/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Cost-effective materials for transparent conducting electrodes are essential for many devices used in clean energy production and consumer electronics. Here we report a technique for non-lithographic patterning of silver nanowires on flexible substrates from solution via microcontact transfer printing using donor substrates with reconfigurable topography. This approach is a highly scalable fabrication strategy for high performance transparent conductors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haosheng Wu
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
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38
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Lone S, Vakarelski IU, Chew B, Wang Z, Thoroddsen ST. Latex particle template lift-up guided gold wire-networks via evaporation lithography. RSC Adv 2014. [DOI: 10.1039/c4ra11278d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
We describe a hybrid methodology that combines a two dimensional (2D) monolayer of latex particles, lift-up of 2D template onto flat surfaces and evaporation lithography to fabricate metal micro- and nanowire-networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saifullah Lone
- Division of Physical Sciences and Engineering
- King Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)
- Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ivan U. Vakarelski
- Division of Physical Sciences and Engineering
- King Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)
- Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Basil Chew
- Advanced Nanofabrication Imaging and Characterization
- King Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)
- Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Zhihong Wang
- Advanced Nanofabrication Imaging and Characterization
- King Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)
- Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sigurdur T. Thoroddsen
- Division of Physical Sciences and Engineering
- King Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)
- Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
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39
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Yim EC, Kim SJ, Kee CD. Fabrication and Characterization of Transparent Conductive Film based on Bacterial Cellulose. KOREAN CHEMICAL ENGINEERING RESEARCH 2013. [DOI: 10.9713/kcer.2013.51.6.766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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40
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Yun J, Wang W, Bae TS, Park YH, Kang YC, Kim DH, Lee S, Lee GH, Song M, Kang JW. Preparation of flexible organic solar cells with highly conductive and transparent metal-oxide multilayer electrodes based on silver oxide. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2013; 5:9933-9941. [PMID: 24060352 DOI: 10.1021/am401845n] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
We report that significantly more transparent yet comparably conductive AgOx films, when compared to Ag films, are synthesized by the inclusion of a remarkably small amount of oxygen (i.e., 2 or 3 atom %) in thin Ag films. An 8 nm thick AgOx (O/Ag=2.4 atom %) film embedded between 30 nm thick ITO films (ITO/AgOx/ITO) achieves a transmittance improvement of 30% when compared to a conventional ITO/Ag/ITO electrode with the same configuration by retaining the sheet resistance in the range of 10-20 Ω sq(-1). The high transmittance provides an excellent opportunity to improve the power-conversion efficiency of organic solar cells (OSCs) by successfully matching the transmittance spectral range of the electrode to the optimal absorption region of low band gap photoactive polymers, which is highly limited in OSCs utilizing conventional ITO/Ag/ITO electrodes. An improvement of the power-conversion efficiency from 4.72 to 5.88% is achieved from highly flexible organic solar cells (OSCs) fabricated on poly(ethylene terephthalate) polymer substrates by replacing the conventional ITO/Ag/ITO electrode with the ITO/AgOx/ITO electrode. This novel transparent electrode can facilitate a cost-effective, high-throughput, room-temperature fabrication solution for producing large-area flexible OSCs on heat-sensitive polymer substrates with excellent power-conversion efficiencies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jungheum Yun
- Surface Technology Division, Korea Institute of Materials Science , Changwon, Gyeongnam 641-831, Republic of Korea
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41
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Kwon N, Kim K, Sung S, Yi I, Chung I. Highly conductive and transparent Ag honeycomb mesh fabricated using a monolayer of polystyrene spheres. NANOTECHNOLOGY 2013; 24:235205. [PMID: 23676613 DOI: 10.1088/0957-4484/24/23/235205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
We describe the design principles and fabrication of Ag honeycomb mesh as a transparent conductive electrode using a polystyrene (PS) sphere template. Monolayers of PS spheres with different diameters, such as 600 nm, 3 μm, and 10 μm, are studied as templates to form Ag mesh with high transmittance. Since the parasitic Ag islands degrade the transmittance, both heat pretreatment and wet etching are used to control the area covered by parasitic Ag islands. The trade-off between transmittance and conductivity forces us to use larger diameter PS spheres. Ten-micron PS spheres are chosen as the template for the PS sphere monolayer, and heat pretreatment and Ag wet etching are used to demonstrate that the Ag honeycomb mesh transparent electrodes have high performance. The transmittance and the sheet resistance are 83% and 20 Ω/sq, which are comparable to commercial ITO electrodes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Namyong Kwon
- SKKU Advanced Institute of Nanotechnology, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 440-746, Korea
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42
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Kim J, Kang J, Jeong U, Kim H, Lee H. Catalytic, conductive, and transparent platinum nanofiber webs for FTO-free dye-sensitized solar cells. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2013; 5:3176-3181. [PMID: 23517275 DOI: 10.1021/am400179j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
We report a multifunctional platinium nanofiber (PtNF) web that can act as a catalyst layer in dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) to simultaneously function as a transparent counter electrode (CE), i.e., without the presence of an indium-doped tin oxide (ITO) or fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) glass. This PtNF web can be easily produced by electrospinning, which is highly cost-effective and suitable for large-area industrial-scale production. Electrospun PtNFs are straight and have a length of a few micrometers, with a common diameter of 40-70 nm. Each nanofiber is composed of compact, crystalline Pt grains and they are well-fused and highly interconnected, which should be helpful to provide an efficient conductive network for free electron transport and a large surface area for electrocatalytic behavior. A PtNF web is served as a counter electrode in DSSC and the photovoltaic performance increases up to a power efficiency of 6.0%. It reaches up to 83% of that in a conventional DSSC using a Pt-coated FTO glass as a counter electrode. Newly designed DSSCs containing PtNF webs display highly stable photoelectric conversion efficiencies, and excellent catalytic, conductive, and transparent properties, as well as long-term stability. Also, while the DSSC function is retained, the fabrication cost is reduced by eliminating the transparent conducting layer on the counter electrode. The presented method of fabricating DSSCs based on a PtNF web can be extended to other electrocatalytic optoelectronic devices that combine superior catalytic activity with high conductivity and transparency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jongwook Kim
- Hybrid Polymer Materials Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, 39-1 Hawolgok-dong Seongbuk-gu Seoul, 130-650, Republic of Korea
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43
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Jeon HJ, Yoo HW, Lee EH, Jang SW, Kim JS, Choi JK, Jung HT. Fabrication of complex 3-dimensional patterned structures on a ∼10 nm scale from a single master pattern by secondary sputtering lithography. NANOSCALE 2013; 5:2358-63. [PMID: 23392080 DOI: 10.1039/c3nr33739a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
We describe a highly efficient method for fabricating a variety of complex 3D nano-patterns from a single master pattern using secondary sputtering lithography, which is a 10 nm scale patterning method that we have developed. A rapid etching rate in the bottom part of the PS pillar during the RIE process can produce various nanostructure shapes and the PS residual layer thickness can influence various feature dimensions, due to the controlled RIE time leading to different PS layer thicknesses. This technique provides a highly effective method for producing various complex 3D patterns from a single master pattern. Thus, this method can serve as a new procedure for the cost-effective mass production of complex nanoscale patterns with high resolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hwan-Jin Jeon
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 305-701, Korea
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44
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Kuang P, Park JM, Liu G, Ye Z, Leung W, Chaudhary S, Lynch D, Ho KM, Constant K. Metal-nanowall grating transparent electrodes: achieving high optical transmittance at high incident angles with minimal diffraction. OPTICS EXPRESS 2013; 21:2393-2401. [PMID: 23389219 DOI: 10.1364/oe.21.002393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
A novel architecture has been employed to fabricate transparent electrodes with high conductivity and high optical transmittance at high incident angles. Soft lithography is used to fabricate polymer grating patterns onto which thin metallic films are deposited. Etching removes excess metal leaving tall walls of metal. Polymer encapsulation of the structure both protects the metal and minimizes diffraction. Transmission is dependent upon the height of the walls and encapsulation and varies from 60% to 80% for structures with heights of 1400 nm to 300 nm. In encapsulated structures, very little distortion is visible (either parallel to or perpendicular to standing walls) even at viewing angles 60° from the normal. Diffraction is at characterized through measurement of intensity for zeroth through third order diffraction spots. Encapsulation is shown to significantly reduce diffraction. Measurements are supported by optical simulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Kuang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, USA
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45
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Yun J, Park YH, Bae TS, Lee S, Lee GH. Fabrication of a completely transparent and highly flexible ITO nanoparticle electrode at room temperature. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2013; 5:164-172. [PMID: 23214976 DOI: 10.1021/am302341p] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
We report the fabrication of a highly flexible indium tin oxide (ITO) electrode that is completely transparent to light in the visible spectrum. The electrode was fabricated via the formation of a novel ITO nanoarray structure, consisting of discrete globular ITO nanoparticles superimposed on an agglomerated ITO layer, on a heat-sensitive polymer substrate. The ITO nanoarray spontaneously assembled on the surface of the polymer substrate by a simple sputter coating at room temperature, without nanolithographic or solution-based assembly processes being required. The ITO nanoarray exhibited a resistivity of approximately 2.3 × 10(-3) Ω cm and a specular transmission of about 99% at 550 nm, surpassing all previously reported values of these parameters in the case of transparent porous ITO electrodes synthesized via solution-based processes at elevated temperatures. This novel nanoarray structure and its fabrication methodology can be used for coating large-area transparent electrodes on heat-sensitive polymer substrates, a goal unrealizable through currently available solution-based fabrication methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jungheum Yun
- Advanced Functional Thin Film Department, Korea Institute of Materials Science, Changwon, Gyeongnam, Republic of Korea.
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46
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Cheng K, Cui Z, Li Q, Wang S, Du Z. Large-scale fabrication of a continuous gold network for use as a transparent conductive electrode in photo-electronic devices. NANOTECHNOLOGY 2012; 23:425303. [PMID: 23037191 DOI: 10.1088/0957-4484/23/42/425303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Large-scale periodic gold network electrodes were fabricated using the developed and versatile nanosphere lithography technique. The fabrication processes, structural characterizations and network formation mechanism were described in detail. An enhanced optical transmission peak was observed from the transmission spectrum, which could be assigned to the extraordinary transmission mediated commonly by (a) localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) and (b) surface plasmon polaritons. The effects of film thickness, sphere diameter (periodicity) and reactive ion etching time on their optical and electrical properties were also investigated. By controlling these three independent variables, we could tune the SPR peak position and their light transmission distributions flexibly. Our large-scale continuous gold network can serve as a transparent conductive electrode, while possessing the role of a surface plasmonic resonance component can make it very attractive for potential photo-electric device applications in a range from plasmon-enhanced broadband photovoltaics to SPR-based chemo- and biosensors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke Cheng
- Key Lab for Special Functional Materials of Ministry of Education, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, People's Republic of China
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47
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van de Groep J, Spinelli P, Polman A. Transparent conducting silver nanowire networks. NANO LETTERS 2012; 12:3138-44. [PMID: 22554260 DOI: 10.1021/nl301045a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
We present a transparent conducting electrode composed of a periodic two-dimensional network of silver nanowires. Networks of Ag nanowires are made with wire diameters of 45-110 nm and a pitch of 500, 700, and 1000 nm. Anomalous optical transmission is observed, with an averaged transmission up to 91% for the best transmitting network and sheet resistances as low as 6.5 Ω/sq for the best conducting network. Our most dilute networks show lower sheet resistance and higher optical transmittance than an 80 nm thick layer of ITO sputtered on glass. By comparing measurements and simulations, we identify four distinct physical phenomena that govern the transmission of light through the networks: all related to the excitation of localized surface plasmons and surface plasmon polaritons on the wires. The insights given in this paper provide the key guidelines for designing high-transmittance and low-resistance nanowire electrodes for optoelectronic devices, including thin-film solar cells. For the latter, we discuss the general design principles to use the nanowire electrodes also as a light trapping scheme.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorik van de Groep
- Center for Nanophotonics, FOM Institute AMOLF, Science Park 104, 1098 XG, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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Ye Z, Chaudhary S, Kuang P, Ho KM. Broadband light absorption enhancement in polymer photovoltaics using metal nanowall gratings as transparent electrodes. OPTICS EXPRESS 2012; 20:12213-12221. [PMID: 22714211 DOI: 10.1364/oe.20.012213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
The authors investigate light absorption in organic solar cells in which indium tin oxide (ITO) is replaced by a new metallic architecture (grating) as a transparent electrode. Different from typical metal nanowire gratings, our gratings consist of metal nanowalls with nanoscale footprint and (sub)microscale height [Adv. Mater. 23, 2469 (2011)], thus ensuring high optical transmittance and electrical conductivity. Simulations reveal that a broadband and polarization-insensitive light absorption enhancement is achieved via two mechanisms, when such silver nanowall gratings are employed in P3HT:PCBM based solar cells. Overall absorption enhanced by ~23% compared to a reference cell with ITO electrode.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuo Ye
- Ames Laboratory - USDOE, Ames, Iowa 50011, USA
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Chua J, Mathews N, Jennings JR, Yang G, Wang Q, Mhaisalkar SG. Patterned 3-dimensional metal grid electrodes as alternative electron collectors in dye-sensitized solar cells. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2011; 13:19314-7. [DOI: 10.1039/c1cp22944c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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