Double coating of Au nanoaprticles on single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) for transparent conducting films

Abstract

We investigated the electrical conductivities of single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) network films upon pre- and post-treatment via gold ions, particularly with respect to their potential use as transparent conducting films. Transparent conducting SWNT films using pre- and post-deposition of gold nanoparticles resulted in a significant decrease of the electrical resistance, while the initial value of the transmittance of pristine-SWNT films was maintained. The double Au nanoparticle hybrid films exhibited 5 times lower sheet resistance compared to pristine-SWNT films. The electrical behaviors of the gold nanoparticle-coated SWNT films were examined by an analysis of the work-funtions of the SWNT films. The SWNT-Au nanoparticle hybrid films are expected to be applicable to transparent electrodes of various optoelectronic devices such as solar cells, light-emitting diodes, sensors, and field effect transistors.