Toward flexible X-tronics: Transparent conductors with enhanced room-temperature ferromagnetism using Sn–Mn-codoped In2O3/mica thin films

Abstract

Herein, flexible transparent conductors (TCs) with enhanced room-temperature ferromagnetism were fabricated via growing an Sn–Mn-codoped In2O3 (ITMO) film on a flexible mica substrate. The ITMO/mica film shows an average transmittance (Ta) of 81.9% in the visible region and a sheet resistance (Rs) of 58 Ω, which are comparable to those of the flexible Sn-doped In2O3 (ITO) and Mn-doped In2O3 (IMO) films in the previous reports. Moreover, the ITMO/mica film exhibits a room-temperature ferromagnetism with a saturation magnetization (Ms) of 29.1 emu/cc and a coercive field (Hc) of 430 Oe. The ferromagnetism in ITMO/mica film is much stronger than that in the previously reported IMO/mica films. The charge transport measurements in conjunction with bending tests indicate that the ITMO/mica film possesses large critical bending strains (ϵcr) and thus a robust mechanical durability. The optical and magnetic properties of the ITMO/mica film are also well maintained during the bending cyclic tests. The demonstration of the flexible multifunctional ITMO/mica films with remarkable performance in various aspects paves a route toward future flexible X-tronics.