Transparent Conducting Oxides-An Up-To-Date Overview.

Andreas Stadler

doi:10.3390/ma5040661

Abstract

Transparent conducting oxides (TCOs) are electrical conductive materials with comparably low absorption of electromagnetic waves within the visible region of the spectrum. They are usually prepared with thin film technologies and used in opto-electrical apparatus such as solar cells, displays, opto-electrical interfaces and circuitries. Here, based on a modern database-system, aspects of up-to-date material selections and applications for transparent conducting oxides are sketched, and references for detailed information are given. As n-type TCOs are of special importance for thin film solar cell production, indium-tin oxide (ITO) and the reasonably priced aluminum-doped zinc oxide (ZnO:Al), are discussed with view on preparation, characterization and special occurrences. For completion, the recently frequently mentioned typical p-type delafossite TCOs are described as well, providing a variety of references, as a detailed discussion is not reasonable within an overview publication.

Highlights

Transparent conducting oxides (TCOs) are electrical conductive materials with a comparably low absorption of light
As n-type TCOs are of special importance for thin film solar cell production, indium-tin oxide (ITO) and the reasonably priced aluminum-doped zinc oxide (ZnO:Al) are discussed with view on preparation, characterization and special occurrences
Based on a modern database-system, aspects of up-to-date material selections and applications for transparent conducting oxides have been sketched; references for detailed information have been given for the interested reader

Summary

Introduction

Transparent conducting oxides (TCOs) are electrical conductive materials with a comparably low absorption of light. They are usually prepared with thin film technologies and used in opto-electrical devices such as solar cells, displays, opto-electrical interfaces and circuitries. Transparent conducting oxides are highly flexible intermediate states with both these characteristics Their conductivity can be tuned from insulating via semiconducting to conducting as Materials 2012, 5 well as their transparency adjusted. As they can be produced as n-type and p-type conductives, they open a wide range of power saving opto-electrical circuitries and technological applications. Metals were used as compound materials or dopants (with just a few percent content)

TCOs in General

Delafossite and Mayenite Type Transparent Conducting Oxides

Further Aspects to Technological Advances of Transparent Conducting Oxides

Findings

Conclusions