Indium Tin Oxide Polyethylene Terephthalate Research Articles

Carbon nanotube-grid infrared transparent electrodes for flexible electrochromic devices with visible to mid-infrared dual-band modulation

Flexible mid-infrared electrochromic devices (MIR-ECDs) have attracted wide attention due to the growing demands for thermal camouflage and body comfort. However, the normal conductive films (e.g., indium tin oxide/polyethylene terephthalate (ITO/PET) films) are unsuitable for MIR-ECDs due to low infrared transmittance. Herein, the infrared transparent carbon nanotube (CNT) grid films were prepared by designing the grid structure. The infrared transmittance of CNT grid film could reach 72 %; meanwhile, the visible transmittance could reach 75 %. The CNTs exhibited infrared modulation under different voltages due to the doping/de-doping of ions in electrolytes into the CNT network. The flexible electrochromic devices with visible to mid-infrared dual-band modulation were prepared by using CNT grid film as the electrode and poly (3,4 ethylenedioxythiophene):poly (styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) as the electrochromic layer, which could realize the infrared synergistic modulation of PEDOT:PSS and CNT grid in the mid-infrared range and reversible color changes between light blue and dark blue in the visible range, showing promising applications in adaptive camouflage and thermal management.

Operando Optical Microscopy of Dead Lithium Growth in Anode‐Less Configuration

AbstractThere is an increasing demand to improve battery safety and performance as part of the global push to convert the small electronics and transportation sector to infrastructures based on electricity. This work follows the deposition of lithium metal in anode‐less conditions by an operando optical microscope using a transparent indium tin oxide‐polyethylene terephthalate (ITO‐PET) window as the current collector in a readily‐available electrochemical set‐up. The mechanism of Li metal nucleation strongly depends on the selected current densities (C/40 and 2C). After the deposition of the solid electrolyte interface (SEI), Li nucleates from mossy to needle morphology. Moreover, layer‐by‐layer growth of dead Li in voids is monitored by following its accumulation upon cycling. Dead Li deposits in residual hollow structures, especially when high current densities are applied. These optical observations are coupled with computer vision analyses to evaluate the average size of the Li deposits: smaller Li nuclei plate when high C‐rate is applied. The results here described provide insights into a new electrochemical cell concept that enables to elucidate the influence of spatial inhomogeneities of the lithophilic ITO‐PET surface on the mechanism of Li nucleation and plating.

Label-free flexible immunosensor based on nitrogen-doped graphene with titanium dioxide for the determination of depression marker dendritic cell nuclear protein-1

In this work, a label-free flexible immunosensor for selective and sensitive detection of dendritic cell nuclear protein-1 (DCNP1), a newly discovered potential marker of depression, was successfully constructed. At first, a highly conductive nanomaterial nitrogen-doped graphene with titanium dioxide (NG/TiO2) was prepared using a one-pot method, and it was used as an electrode modification material in the construction of immunosensors for the first time. NG/TiO2 was functionalized with 1-pyrene-butyric acid N-hydroxysuccinimide ester (PSE), and then the DCNP1 antibody could be better immobilized on the surface of the modified indium tin oxide-polyethylene terephthalate (ITO-PET). Then bovine serum albumin (BSA) was used to block non-specific active sites, and the immunosensor (BSA/anti-DCNP1-PSE/NG/TiO2/ITO-PET) can be obtained. The fabricated NG/TiO2 and the construction process of the immunosensor were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, infrared spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and electrochemical impedance methods. Differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) was used to measure different concentrations of DCNP1 after optimizing the ratio of NG and TiO2, the modification amount of NG/TiO2, the ratio of NG/TiO2 to PSE, the concentration of anti-DCNP1 and its immobilization time, the concentration of BSA, and the incubation time of DCNP1. The constructed sensor had a wide linear range of 1 ∼ 104 pg mL−1, and a low detection limit of 0.45 pg mL−1 (S/N = 3). It had good reproducibility (RSD = 1.90 %), repeatability (RSD = 2.6 %), and selectivity. After storing it at 4 ℃ for 15 days, its performance decreased to 92.37 %. And it had been successfully used to determine DCNP1 in the brain homogenate of mice with depression induced by chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS), providing a possible method for the rapid and accurate determination of DCNP1.

Enhancement of the performance of a ZnO-based nanostructured flexible UV photodiode grown on the carbon clothe by piezo-phototronic effect

The current study aims to evaluate the piezo-phototronic effect on the performance of the prepared ZnO-based UV Photodiodes (PDs). To this end, the electrochemical method was employed to facilitate the growth of ZnO Nanowires (NWs) on the Carbon Clothe (CC) substrate. The results obtained from Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) analyses demonstrated well-grown ZnO NWs arrays with high coverage density and crystal quality on the substrate. The current-voltage (I–V) measurement was employed in the UV illumination and dark conditions to determine the photo-responsivity and detectivity of the prepared device to the UV light. In addition, the photocurrent and overall device performances were modified under UV illumination and applying compressive strain, given its role in increasing the barrier height. As a result, more photo-generated charge carriers can migrate to the electrode without recombination in comparison with free strain conditions. This phenomenon is known as the piezo-phototronic effect. Further, the findings of this study revealed that CC could be an appropriate alternative to the fabricated flexible PDs instead of other expensive flexible substrates such as Indium Tin Oxide/Poly-Ethylene Terephthalate (ITO/PET).

Fabrication and photocatalytic properties of Co doped ZnO nanomaterials

Co-doped ZnO nanocomposites have been prepared on polyethylene terephthalate-indium tin oxide (PET-ITO) flexible substrates using hydrothermal method. The effects of crystal structure, doping mechanism, as well as photocatalytic properties have been intensive investigated. Compared with pure ZnO, Co-ZnO has distinct photocatalytic activity with the degradation rate of 71.36% for methylene blue (MB) solution. The stable electronic structures and the possible electronic sites for Co elements in combination have been discussed with theoretical calculations. Meanwhile, the mechanism to enhance the photocatalytic activity of ZnO has been discussed.

A new ITO-based Aβ42 biosensor for early detection of Alzheimer's disease

In this study, a novel label-free impedimetric immunosensor was fabricated for rapid, selective, and sensitive quantitative analysis of Aβ42 protein for use in the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. The immunosensor was fabricated using inexpensive and disposable indium tin oxide polyethylene terephthalate (ITO-PET) electrodes. After the electrodes were modified with 3-glycidoxypropyldimethoxymethylsilane (GPDMMS), the antibody specific to the Aβ42 protein (anti-Aβ42) was immobilized. The affinity interaction between anti-Aβ42 and Aβ42 in the immobilization steps in immunosensor fabrication and in the quantitation of Aβ42 were analyzed using Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) and Cyclic Voltammetry (CV) techniques. Additionally, the morphological changes occurring on the electrode surface during each immobilization step were imaged using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The linear detection range of the immunosensor was determined as 1–100 pg/mL with the limit of detection value of 0.37 pg/mL. Analytical properties of the biosensor, including reproducibility, repeatability, storage stability, selectivity, and regeneration were investigated. The kinetic behavior of antibody-antigen complex formation was determined for the first time using single frequency impedance (SFI) analysis on an Aβ42 biosensor. The potential for use of the immunosensor in clinical studies was demonstrated by analysis of Aβ42 in commercially purchased human serum.

11-(triethoxysilyl) undecanal agent-based biosensor system using disposable ITO-PET electrode for tumour necrosis factor-alpha detection

In this study, a label-free electrochemical biosensor system based on a disposable indium tin oxide polyethylene terephthalate (ITO-PET) electrode modified with the 11-(triethoxysilyl) undecanal (11-TESU) agent was developed for the detection of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in serum. The developed biosensor was observed with electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), cyclic voltammetry (CV) techniques, square wave voltammetry (SWV) and single frequency impedance (SFI) technique which is utilized for the specific interaction between anti-TNF-α and TNF-α antigen. In addition, scanning electron microscopy was used to look at how the morphology of each ITO-PET surface changed (SEM). All parameters such as 11-TESU concentration, anti-TNF-α concentration and anti-TNF-α incubation time, were optimized. The biosensor system was characterized by measuring its linear determination range, repeatability, reproducibility, reusability, storage stability, and surface coverage. The TNF-αelectrochemical biosensor showed high levels of repeatability and reproducibility as well as a large dynamic range of detection (from 0.03 pg mL-1 to 3 pg mL-1). The LOD and LOQ for the biosensor were extremely low at 1x10-4 pg mL-1 and 5x10-4 pg mL-1, respectively. It was applied to real samples to determine whether the proposed biosensor would be useful in clinical settings.

Tümör Nekrozis Faktörü-alfa biyobelirteç tayini için pratik ve tek kullanımlık ITO-PET bazlı immunosensör platformu

This investigation displays a novel, practical indium tin oxide- polyethylene terephthalate (ITO-PET) based electrochemical biosensor for the Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNFα) biomarker determination. The ITO-PET electrode is a very advantageous preferred semiconductive electrode material. It has a lot of great features such as easy to prepare, cheapness, flexibility, stability. It also allows determining an analyte at very low concentrations and provides a great wide concentration range for analyte analysis. Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) and Cyclic Voltammetry (CV) were used for the evaluation of biosensors, including the immobilization procedure, the investigation of the optimum conditions, and the characterization of biosensors. The immunosensor's electrode surface morphology during the immobilization process was observed using a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). In addition, Impedance measurement at a single frequency was used to characterize anti-TNFα and TNFα interactions (SFI). The clinical effectiveness of the developed biosensor was investigated by testing it with real human serum samples. Moreover, the fabricated immunosensor presents long shelf life, analysis of the antigen concentrations at picogram level (0.02 pg mL-1 -2.56 pg mL-1), reproducibility, reusability (11 times) and high sensitivity.

Langmuir-Blodgett deposition and physicochemical surface characterization of two-dimensional perovskite nanosheets on ITO-PET substrates

We successfully obtained Ca2NaNb4O13− single perovskite nanosheets by delaminating x = 4 Dion-Jacobson type KCa2NaNb4O13 layered materials. These nanosheets were then deposited onto conductive, transparent, and flexible indium tin oxide-polyethylene terephthalate (ITO-PET) substrates using the Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) technique. The polar and apolar (dispersive) surface tension components of LB nanofilms composed of Ca2NaNb4O13− perovskite nanosheets and the work of adhesion between the nanofilms and silicon and ITO-PET substrates were determined through contact angle measurements combined with mathematical modeling based on surface thermodynamics. The results showed that the apolar surface tension components had similar values for all surfaces studied, while the polar surface tension components of the nanofilms deposited on the substrates had higher values than those of the bare substrates. The higher polar interaction observed between the nanofilm and ITO-PET resulted in higher total work of adhesion of the nanofilm to the ITO-PET surface in water, while the total work of adhesion computed between the nanofilm and Si was higher in air.

Design and Simulation of Lead-free Flexible Perovskite Solar cell Using SCAPS-1D.

Despite perovskite solar cells’ rapidly increasing efficiency, industrializing and commercializing the device presents several challenges. Top among these is toxicity due to the material’s lead-based perovskite usage, which causes rapid degradation. Because of this challenge, researchers have recently become interested in lead-free perovskite materials. In this research, we investigate using the SCAPS simulation software to optimize a lead-free flexible solar cell. Lead (Pb), which belongs to group 14, can likely be replaced with bismuth (Bi), which belongs to group 15. In this study, the structure of the device is an n-i-p planar lead-free heterostructure flexible perovskite solar cell (FPSC) comprised of a Polyethylene Terephthalate/Indium Tin Oxide (PET/ITO) substrate; [6,6]-phenyl C61 butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) Electron Transport Layer (ETL); methyl ammonium bismuth iodide (CH3NH3BiI3) as an absorber; Spiro-OMeTAD as a Hole Transport Layer (HTL); and silver (Ag) as the electrode. We optimised cell performance and efficiency with an absorber layer of 100 nm and an optimised temperature of 300 K. This absorber layer’s thickness and defect density were considered. The defect density of the FPSC is indirectly proportional to the device’s absorption coefficient (alpha). We obtained a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 18.80%, a current density (JSC) of 35.59 mA/cm2, an open circuit voltage (VOC) of 0.633 V, and a fill factor (FF) of 83.43%. We also observed that the FF is inversely proportional to the thickness of the absorber layer of the FPSC.

Multilayer transparent bendable broadband microwave absorber covering the frequency band near 5 GHz

A multilayer transparent microwave absorber that possesses a broadband, is bendable, and covers the frequency band near 5 GHz is proposed in this work. The absorber uses three layers of 110 Ω/sq etched patterned indium–tin–oxide-polyethylene terephthalate (ITO-PET) films as the resonant layers. The infinite cycle structure of the absorber is simulated by using the CST STUDIO SUITE. The absorber shows >90% absorption effect in the frequency band 4.16-7.48 GHz and a 99% absorption effect in the band near 5 GHz (4.98-5.83 GHz). Furthermore, by replacing the intermediate medium with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), the absorber obtains excellent bendability characteristics.

Design of an Optically Transparent Microwave Absorber Based on Coding Metasurface

In this paper, a metamaterial absorber with a checkerboard patterned ITO (indium tin oxide) film as the surface is obtained by using flexible and optically transparent wave-absorbing material ITO–PET (polyethylene terephthalate), and a coding arrangement of two basic coding units based on the APS-PSO (Array Pattern Synthesis -Particle Swarm Optimization) algorithm. The surface structure of the absorber consists of ITO rectangular patch structures and ITO circular patch structures (110 Ω/sq). The ITO rectangular patch structures and ITO circular patch structures are symmetrical. The middle layer is made up of two layers of PET and one layer of PMMA, and the bottom surface is covered with a layer of low square resistance ITO film (8 Ω/sq). The experimental results, which are consistent with the simulation results, show that the absorber has superior performance: over 90% absorptance in the 5.06–9.01 GHz band, high transmittance, and a −10 dBsm RCS (radar cross-section) reduction in the 5.3–8.7 GHz band. This design also has polarization insensitivity and angular stability.

An ultrasensitive and disposable electrochemical aptasensor for prostate-specific antigen (PSA) detection in real serum samples.

In this study, we constructed a disposable indium tin oxide polyethylene terephthalate film (ITO-PET)-based electrochemical aptasensor for analyzing prostate-specific antigen (PSA), one of the most important biomarkers of prostate cancer. Because of their clinical importance, building PSA biosensing systems with high sensitivity and stability is essential. However, it still presents significant difficulties, such as low detection limits. We designed a platform to covalently bind the amino-terminated aptamer by modifying the ITO-PET surface with carboxyethylsilanetriol (CTES) to obtain a self-assembled monolayer (SAM). We also evaluated the potential for use in real human serum samples by investigating the optimal operating conditions and analytical performance characteristics of the developed biosensor. The design we present here exhibits excellent precision, with a limit of detection (LOD) as low as 8.74 fg/mL PSA. The broad linear detection range of the biosensor under optimal conditions was determined as 1.0-1500 fg/mL. The dissociation constant (Kd) for the aptamer was also calculated as 46.28 ± 5.63 nM by evaluating the impedimetric response as a function of PSA concentration. The aptasensor displayed considerable repeatability (1.3% RSD) and reproducibility (7.51% RSD) and good storage stability (98.34% of the initial activity for 8 weeks). Additionally, we demonstrated that the technique we developed was quite efficient in estimating the kinetics of aptamer-analyte interactions by determining the Kd and single-frequency impedance (SFI) data. In conclusion, we proposed a selective and sensitive biosensor with the potential for clinical application and superior performance in real serum samples.

Dielectric Behaviour of PVP 360 and PVA for Thin Flexible Transistors Application

Despite important progress in the field of the thin flexible transistor (TFT)-based electronics, a major challenge still exist for organic TFTs to decrease the operating voltage, which is related to the properties of the dielectric and semiconductor layers from the OTFTs structure. In this paper, we present the electrical behavior of two biocompatible polymers, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP 360) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), regarding the application as insulating layer in thin-film transistors. The PVA and PVP 360 thin films were deposited onto epoxy resin copper double-sided layer and polyethylene tere-phthalate/Indium tin oxide (PET/ITO) substrates by sol-gel method, spin-coating technique. Two sol concentrations (1 and 5 wt. %) were prepared and the contact angle onto the used substrates was measured using a digital microscope camera. The obtained films have been characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and dielectrical behaviour. For electrical measurements, the metal-insulating-metal (MIM) structure was realized by cooper electrodes deposition at room temperature, onto the top of thin films, by magnetron sputtering method. The current (I) - applied voltage (from -5 to +5 V) curves were measured in air at room temperature (RT), using the Picoammeter homemade device. PVA and PVP 360 thin films showed low leakage currents with values within � 2 nA for �5 V range.

Layer‐by‐Layer 2D Ultrathin Conductive Cu3(HHTP)2 Film for High‐Performance Flexible Transparent Supercapacitors

Abstract2D conductive metal–organic frameworks (2D c‐MOFs) naturally possess high active sites, large specific surface areas, and fast ion transport for energy‐storage devices. However, the intelligent exploration of 2D c‐MOFs for the emerging flexible transparent supercapacitors (FTSCs) with excellent photoelectric property and electrochemical activity is rarely implemented. Herein, 2D conductive ultrathin Cu3(HHTP)2 (HHTP = 2,3,6,7,10,11‐hexahydroxytriphenylene) film is synthesized on the indium tin oxide/polyethylene terephthalate (ITO/PET) substrate for flexible transparent conductive electrodes (FTCEs) through the layer‐by‐layer assembly method. The interconnected conductive frameworks possess the cooperative superiority of low internal resistance, fast electrolyte ion diffusion, and quick electron transfer. Cu3(HHTP)2‐15/ITO/PET FTCEs show high photoelectric property of T550 nm = 82.2% and Rs = 49.1 Ω sq−1, and high areal capacitance (CA) of 1700 µF cm−2. The corresponding symmetrical FTSCs (T550 nm = 62.1%) exhibit excellent CA of 939.2 µF cm−2 at the current density of 7 µA cm−2, superior rate capability (63.9% at 150 µA cm−2), long‐term cycling stability (85% after 3000 cycles), and mechanical flexibility under different bending angles. This work provides key insights into the design and synthesis of 2D c‐MOF films for flexible transparent energy‐storage devices.

Fabrication and assessment of an electrochromic and radar-absorbent dual device based on the new smart polythiophene-based/RGO/Fe3O4 ternary nanocomposite

Both polymeric electrochromic and radar absorption materials have been considered as science hotspots over the past few decades. However, integrating both properties (electrochromic and radar absorption) in a single device has not been addressed to fabricate a multifunctional device so far. Thus, here, we endeavor to shed light on this uncharted area by presenting a new smart ternary nanocomposite (polythiophene-based/RGO-Fe3O4) which can provide both electrochromic and microwave absorbent features simultaneously. In this regard, we synthesized the binary Fe3O4-RGO nanocomposites with different contents of Fe3O4 nanoparticles. Then, this binary nanocomposite is utilized in combination with a polythiophene-based conductive polymer as a tricolor (RGB) organic electrochromic material to synthesize the smart ternary nanocomposite through both in-situ polymerization and physical mixing methods. The ternary nanocomposites containing different weight fractions of Fe3O4-RGO nanoparticles were used to assemble the rigid and flexible ECD devices using flat and fiber substrates such as glass-indium tin oxide (glass-ITO), polyethylene terephthalate-indium tin oxide (PET-ITO) and stainless steel wire (SSW). By applying a voltage of −2.1 to 2.1 v, a reversible color-switching ability was observed between green color (oxidized state), and red color (reduced state) for all ECDs. The average switching time and color memory for the SSW cell were determined to be about 3 s and 155 min, and for both glass-ITO and PET-ITO cells to be 2 s and 210 min, respectively. Additionally, the microwave absorption properties of the prepared ternary nanocomposites were characterized by measuring the electromagnetic parameters such as permittivity, permeability, and reflection loss. A ternary nanocomposite with 3 mm thickness filled with 50 wt% Fe3O4-RGO exhibited a maximum reflection loss as high as −30.2 dB (92% absorption) at 12.3 GHz (in the range of x-bond) with 1.1 GHz bandwidth.

A flexible highly sensitive capacitive pressure sensor

Flexible pressure sensor has been increasingly recognized over the past several decades, but there is still a challenge to fabricate it with a superb sensitivity and large sensing range. Herein, a highly flexible, sensitive and capacitive pressure sensor based on a porous ionic membrane is developed. The innovative sensor contains a polyvinyl alcohol/potassium hydroxide (PVA/KOH) porous ionic dielectric layer and two indium tin oxide polyethylene terephthalate (ITO-PET) films, which are coated on the top and bottom of the dielectric layer, respectively. The sensing mechanism of the sensor is based on the electric double layer capacitors between ITO-PET electrodes and PVA/KOH membrane. By improving the deformability of such elastomer dielectric layer with micro-pores, the sensitivity is greatly enhanced and the detectable range of pressure is significantly widened. Comparing to traditional pressure sensor, the developed sensor provides a high sensitivity up to 20.83/kPa and rapid dynamic responses (50 ms) for pressure measurement. More importantly, the sensor is insensitive to the bending deformation and stable in a low temperature range. Furthermore, a capacitive sensor network is fabricated to measure the spatial pressure distribution and magnitude.

Facile fabrication of W18O49/PEDOT:PSS/ITO-PET flexible electrochromic films by atomizing spray deposition

Electrochromic smart devices with tunable optical properties are on the verge of replacing the conventional windows and curtains. The preparation and commercialization of electrochromic materials are majorly based on vapor phase deposition which is limited by high price and difficult production processes. Here, atomizing spray deposition process is developed for the production of large area, low-cost electrochromic film. W18O49, a promising inorganic EC material, was used to prepare EC film on indium tin oxide-polyethylene terephthalate (ITO-PET) flexible substrate. Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) was also printed on ITO-PET substrate to improve the conductivity of substrate and the adhesion between W18O49 and substrate. The experimental results showed that the transmittance modulation (ΔT) of W18O49/PEDOT:PSS/ITO-PET flexible EC film was 63.34% corresponding to a wavelength of 633 nm. The coloring and bleaching response times of W18O49/PEDOT:PSS/ITO-PET EC film were 18.7 s and 23.2 s, respectively. Furthermore, the as-prepared flexible EC film by atomizing spray deposition method had excellent cyclic stability, and the optical transmittance of the film still retains a high value (70%) after continuous coloring and bleaching for 6000 s.

Multilayer Flexible Pressure Sensor With High Sensitivity Over Wide Linearity Detection Range (August 2021)

Flexible pressure sensors have attracted significant attention in both academic and industrial fields. However, how to design and fabricate a flexible pressure sensor having high sensitivity and good linearity in a wide detection range is still a challenge. To address this challenge, this article proposes a flexible piezoresistive pressure sensor with a multilayer structure consisting of microstructured composite layers (MCLs), which are sandwiched by indium tin oxide-polyethylene terephthalate electrodes and encapsulated by an ultrasoft elastomer frame. The preparation of the conductive composite and the fabrication procedure of the pressure sensor are presented. Due to the point-to-point hemisphere microstructures of the multilayer composite layers, the pressure sensor can perceive pressure with a sensitivity of 7.66 kPa <sup xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">−1</sup> in a range of 0–583 kPa. Besides, the proposed sensor features good linearity of 5.86% and an <inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$R^{2}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> of 0.99. The developed pressure sensor has excellent repeatability of 500 cycles and a fast response time of 80 ms. The proposed sensor is verified by the experiments with primary applications, and the obtained results indicate it could be potentially utilized as wearable detectors.

Terahertz broadband metamaterial absorber enabled by $$\hbox {SiO}_{{{2}}}$$, polyimide and PET dielectric substrates

A broadband polarisation-insensitive terahertz (THz) metamaterial absorber (MMA) is presented in this paper. The MMA consists of a simple planar structure as a unit cell and an optically transparent indium tin oxide (ITO) ground plane, both are separated by a $$50\, \mu \hbox {m}$$ dielectric substrate. We designed three combinations of MMA here, which are ITO–polyimide–ITO, ITO–polyethylene terephthalate (PET)–ITO and ITO–silicon dioxide ( $$\hbox {SiO}_{\mathrm {2}})$$ –ITO for the same planar structure. By changing the substrate of the structure, the resonant frequency and bandwidth of the absorber structure can be varied. The numerical simulation of the absorber shows that the absorptivity is $${>}96{\%}$$ for all three substrates. Polyimide, PET and $$\hbox {SiO}_{\mathrm {2}}$$ based absorbers demonstrated the bandwidth of 0.558 THz, 0.603 THz and 0.658 THz with covered broadband frequency range of 0.4254–0.9829 THz, 0.457–1.16 THz and 0.511–1.169 THz respectively. ITO–PET–ITO absorber structure produced optical transparency. These bandwidths are compatible and convenient for electronic sources in the terahertz region. This study also provides applications in THz sensing and imaging, communication and detection systems.