Developing Infrared (IR) Transparent Conductive Electrode Technology for Multi-Functional Infrared (IR) Sensing

摘要

Transparent conductive electrode technology has long been desired in a great variety of applications, such as light-emitting diode (LED), solar cells, transparent smart skins, invisible electronics and antennas, and embedded sensing and imaging. Current state-of-the-art transparent conductive electrode technology is based on indium tin oxide (ITO). However, ITO is high transparent only in the visible region. In MIR/LWIR spectrum region, the transmission of the ITO electrode is poor. Our recent results indicate that high-quality Carbon nanotubes (CNT) thin-film also has low sheet resistance and high transmission over a broadband spectral region from visible (400 nm) through longwave infrared (approximately 12 m). Such broadband transparent and conductive properties together with its excellent mechanical flexibility make the CNT film a promising candidate for transparent conductive electrodes that can be used for broad-area of applications, including light-emitting diode (LED), solar cells, transparent smart skins, transparent electronics and antennas for embedded sensing and imaging. In this AFOSR program, the properties of the CNT- based transparent conductive electrode film have been investigated, including work function, surface contact resistance and interfacial stability. The reliability the CNT transparent electrode film is also evaluated.