Transparent conducting electrodes based on thin, ultra-long copper nanowires and graphene nano-composites

Abstract

High aspect-ratio ultra-long (> 70 μm) and thin (< 50 nm) copper nanowires (Cu-NW) were synthesized in large quantities using a solution-based approach. The nanowires, along with reduced graphene-oxide sheets, were coated onto glass as well as plastic substrates, thus producing transparent conducting electrodes. Our fabricated transparent electrodes achieved high optical transmittance and low sheet resistance, comparable to those of existing Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) electrodes. Furthermore, our electrodes show no notable loss of performance under high temperature and high humidity conditions. Adaptations of such nano-materials into smooth and ultrathin films lead to potential alternatives for the conventional tin-doped indium oxide, with applications in a wide range of solar cells, flexible displays, and other opto-electronic devices.