Solution processed transparent conductive hybrid thin films based on silver nanowires, zinc oxide and graphene. (March 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Arat, Refik; Jia, Guobin; Dellith, Jan; Dellith, Andrea; Plentz, Jonathan
• Is Part Of: Materials today communications. Volume 26(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-03
• Subjects: Transparent conductive electrodes -- Silver nanowires -- Zinc oxide nanoparticles -- Graphene coating -- Optoelectronic properties; Materials science -- Periodicals; 620.11
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mtcomm.2021.102162
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2352-4928

Abstract

Abstract: Transparent conductive hybrid thin films based on silver nanowires (AgNW), zinc oxide (ZnO) and graphene were prepared using solution processing methods. For this study, the hexagonal (wurtzite) ZnO particles with a flower-like structure were synthesized by sol-gel reaction using zinc acetate dihydrate as a precursor at room temperature and pH value of 10. Ethanol dispersions of ZnO and commercial AgNW were deposited by spin-coating method on glass substrates with fixed parameters to obtain AgNW-ZnO and ZnO-AgNW films, then their surfaces were covered with monolayer graphene flakes (MGFs) using a double self-assembly (DSA) process. The hybrid ZnO-AgNW-MGFs and AgNW-ZnO-MGFs films were characterized by XRD, SEM, UV–vis, four-point probe conductivity measurement, thermal (85 °C for 120 h) and long-term (ambient condition for 120 days) stability analyzes. The transmittances of AgNW-ZnO and ZnO-AgNW films were identical at 550 nm (80 %) and their sheet resistances (Rs ) values were measured as 20.6 and 21.6 Ω/sq, respectively. After the MGFs deposition, the transmittances of hybrid films reduced to 72.5 and 76.8 %, while their Rs values decreased to 17.6 and 21.4 Ω/sq, respectively. Graphene flakes coating both enhanced the conductivity of hybrid films by improving the connection between silver nanowires and increased the thermal and long-term ambient stability of the films due to its barrier property against oxidation of silver nanowires.