Patterned indium tin oxide nanofiber films and their electrical and optical performance

Abstract

We report on the preparation and characterization of indium tin oxide (ITO) nanofiberfilms with a patterned architecture that are transparent and conductive with a uniformfiber size. ITO nanofiber films with a crisscross pattern were prepared by theelectrospinning of a precursor solution containing ethanol, dimethyl formamide (DMF),indium chloride tetrahydrate, tin chloride pentahydrate and poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVPK90) onto a metal mesh template, followed by calcinations after transfer to a glasssubstrate. The resulting ITO nanofibers had diameters of the order of 100 nmand were composed of single-crystalline nanoparticles that were pure in chemicalcomposition. The morphology, crystallinity and performance of the resulting nanofiberscould be controlled mainly by calcination. Optical and electrical investigationsdemonstrated that these nanofiber films are transparent conductors with an opticaltransmittance as high as 92%. The resulting patterned ITO nanofiber films would besuitable for applications such as solar cells, sensors and electromagnetic field filters.