Optical transmittance and electrical conductivity characteristics of single-walled carbon nanotube films based on water-phase exfoliation method

doi:10.11949/0438-1157.20240135

Abstract

Abstract:

High-performance transparent conductive films are important components of optoelectronic devices such as photovoltaic cells and flat panel displays. This study introduces a novel method for fabricating single-walled carbon nanotube transparent conductive films via water-phase exfoliation. The interdependence among transmittance, sheet resistance, and SWCNT concentration in the films is explored. Additionally, the impact of hybrid treatments on film transmittance and conductivity is examined. The results demonstrated accurate predictions of the films' transmittance (ranging from 50% to 96%) within the solar spectrum (300—2500 nm). Precise control over sheet resistance characteristics, ranging from 3 Ω·sq^-1 to 100 Ω·sq^-1, was achieved by adjusting the concentration of single-walled carbon nanotubes. Through the purification process of acid reflux and strong oxidation, the light transmittance increased by an average of 3.1% in the 750—2000 nm band, and the sheet resistance was reduced by more than 50%. These transparent conductive films demonstrate excellent overall performance, characterized by high transmittance and low resistance, thereby presenting extensive prospects for the advancement of optoelectronic devices.

Key words: single-walled carbon nanotubes, film, transmittance and conductive, water-phase exfoliation, filtration, nanomaterials

摘要：

高性能透明导电薄膜是光伏电池、平板显示器等光电子器件的重要组成部件。发展了基于水相剥离的单壁碳纳米管透光导电薄膜制备方法，分析单壁碳纳米管薄膜透光率、方阻和浓度之间的依变关系，探究杂化处理对薄膜透光和导电性能的影响规律。结果表明：通过调节单壁碳纳米管浓度实现了薄膜在太阳光谱范围（300~2500 nm）透光率（50%~96%）的准确预测、方阻特性在3~100 Ω·sq^-1之间的精准调控；通过酸回流和强氧化的纯化过程，透光率在750~2000 nm波段平均提升3.1%，方阻降低50%以上。该透明导电薄膜具有高透光率和低电阻的优异综合性能，在光电子器件设计方面具有广阔的应用前景。

关键词: 单壁碳纳米管, 膜, 透光导电, 水相剥离, 过滤, 纳米材料

CLC Number:

TB 383.2

Binglin BAI, Shen DU, Mingjia LI, Chuanqi ZHANG. Optical transmittance and electrical conductivity characteristics of single-walled carbon nanotube films based on water-phase exfoliation method[J]. CIESC Journal, 2024, 75(7): 2680-2687.

白炳林, 杜燊, 李明佳, 张传琪. 基于水相剥离的单壁碳纳米管薄膜透光和导电特性[J]. 化工学报, 2024, 75(7): 2680-2687.

Figures/Tables 9

Fig.1 SWCNT thin film synthesis method based on a combination of filtration and water-phase exfoliation

Fig.2 Optical image (a) and SEM image (b) of SWCNT thin film and SWCNT network with carbon welding structure (c)

Fig.3 Solar spectral transmittance characteristics of SWCNT thin films (a) and transmittance characteristics of SWCNT thin films at 550 nm (b)

Fig.4 Comparison of visual effects of SWCNT thin films with different transmittance

Fig.5 Comparison of transmittance before and after hybridization treatment (a) and high-temperature treatment at 120℃ (b)

Fig.6 Comparison of conductivity characteristics of SWCNT thin films before and after hybridization treatment

Fig.7 Comparison of conductivity characteristics of SWCNT thin films with different thicknesses

Fig.8 Relationship between transmittance, conductivity, thickness and SWCNT concentration

Fig.9 Comparison of optical transmission and electrical conductivity of SWCNT thin films with literatures

References 31

1	Chen J S, Trerayapiwat K J, Sun L, et al. Long-lived electronic spin qubits in single-walled carbon nanotubes[J]. Nature Communications, 2023, 14(1): 848.
2	Kaskela A, Nasibulin A G, Timmermans M Y, et al. Aerosol-synthesized SWCNT networks with tunable conductivity and transparency by a dry transfer technique[J]. Nano Letters, 2010, 10(11): 4349-4355.
3	Kim S I, Lee K W, Bhusan Sahu B, et al. Flexible OLED fabrication with ITO thin film on polymer substrate[J]. Japanese Journal of Applied Physics, 2015, 54(9): 090301.
4	Bai B L, Yang X H, Tian R, et al. High-efficiency solar steam generation based on blue brick-graphene inverted cone evaporator[J]. Applied Thermal Engineering, 2019, 163: 114379.
5	Zhang B W, Lin H S, Qiu X Y, et al. Spiro-OMeTAD versus PTAA for single-walled carbon nanotubes electrode in perovskite solar cells[J]. Carbon, 2023, 205: 321-327.
6	He Z Y, Xiao Z X, Yue H J, et al. Single-walled carbon nanotube film as an efficient conductive network for Si-based anodes[J]. Advanced Functional Materials, 2023, 33(26): 2300094.
7	Zhu S, Zhang Z Y, Sheng J, et al. High-quality single-walled carbon nanotube films as current collectors for flexible supercapacitors[J]. Journal of Materials Chemistry A, 2023, 11(24): 12941-12949.
8	Park G, Moon H, Shin S, et al. Spatially uniform lithiation enabled by single-walled carbon nanotubes[J]. ACS Energy Letters, 2023, 8(7): 3154-3160.
9	Bui C, La Flower G, Paudyal J. Electrochemical sensing of bisphenol A on single-walled carbon nanotube paper electrodes[J]. Electroanalysis, 2023, 35(8): e202200449.
10	Wang F T, Yang D H, Li L H, et al. Electronic type and diameter dependence of the intersubband plasmons of single-wall carbon nanotubes[J]. Advanced Functional Materials, 2022, 32(11): 2107489.
11	Liu Y, Zhao Z G, Kang L X, et al. Molecular doping modulation and applications of structure-sorted single-walled carbon nanotubes: a review[J]. Small, 2024, 20(3): 2304075.
12	Gao J, Wang W Y, Chen L T, et al. Optimizing processes of dispersant concentration and post-treatments for fabricating single-walled carbon nanotube transparent conducting films[J]. Applied Surface Science, 2013, 277: 128-133.
13	Tsebro V I, Tonkikh A A, Rybkovskiy D V, et al. Phonon contribution to electrical resistance of acceptor-doped single-wall carbon nanotubes assembled into transparent films[J]. Physical Review B, 2016, 94(24): 245438.
14	Sundramoorthy A K, Wang Y C, Gunasekaran S. Low-temperature solution process for preparing flexible transparent carbon nanotube film for use in flexible supercapacitors[J]. Nano Research, 2015, 8(10): 3430-3445.
15	Ma W J, Song L, Yang R, et al. Directly synthesized strong, highly conducting, transparent single-walled carbon nanotube films[J]. Nano Letters, 2007, 7(8): 2307-2311.
16	Jiang S, Hou P X, Chen M L, et al. Ultrahigh-performance transparent conductive films of carbon-welded isolated single-wall carbon nanotubes[J]. Science Advances, 2018, 4(5): eaap9264.
17	Hellstrom S L, Lee H W, Bao Z N. Polymer-assisted direct deposition of uniform carbon nanotube bundle networks for high performance transparent electrodes[J]. ACS Nano, 2009, 3(6): 1423-1430.
18	Jang E Y, Kang T J, Im H W, et al. Single-walled carbon-nanotube networks on large-area glass substrate by the dip-coating method[J]. Small, 2008, 4(12): 2255-2261.
19	Bai B L, Yang X H, Tian R, et al. A high efficiency solar steam generation system with using residual heat to enhance steam escape[J]. Desalination, 2020, 491: 114382.
20	Tenent R C, Barnes T M, Bergeson J D, et al. Ultrasmooth, large-area, high-uniformity, conductive transparent single-walled-carbon-nanotube films for photovoltaics produced by ultrasonic spraying[J]. Advanced Materials, 2009, 21(31): 3210-3216.
21	Wu Z C, Chen Z H, Du X, et al. Transparent, conductive carbon nanotube films[J]. Science, 2004, 305(5688): 1273-1276.
22	Hou P X, Yu B, Su Y, et al. Double-wall carbon nanotube transparent conductive films with excellent performance[J]. Journal of Materials Chemistry A, 2014, 2(4): 1159-1164.
23	钱敏. 纳米碳材料的制备及其薄膜透明导电和场发射性能的研究[D]. 上海: 华东师范大学, 2012.
	Qian M. Synthesis of carbon nanomaterials and their applications in transparent conductive films and field emission displays[D]. Shanghai: East China Normal University, 2012.
24	鲍俊. 石墨烯/银纳米线复合透明电极的制备及其在有机电致发光器件中的应用[D]. 重庆: 重庆大学, 2016.
	Bao J. Preparation and application of the graphene and silver nanowires hybrid transparent electrode for organic electroluminescent devices[D]. Chongqing: Chongqing University, 2016.
25	Wang B W, Jiang S, Zhu Q B, et al. Continuous fabrication of meter-scale single-wall carbon nanotube films and their use in flexible and transparent integrated circuits[J]. Advanced Materials, 2018, 30(32): e1802057.
26	Jeon I, Yoon J, Ahn N, et al. Carbon nanotubes versus graphene as flexible transparent electrodes in inverted perovskite solar cells[J]. The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters, 2017, 8(21): 5395-5401.
27	Zhou Y, Shimada S, Saito T, et al. Building interconnects in carbon nanotube networks with metal halides for transparent electrodes[J]. Carbon, 2015, 87: 61-69.
28	Fukaya N, Kim D Y, Kishimoto S, et al. One-step sub-10 μm patterning of carbon-nanotube thin films for transparent conductor applications[J]. ACS Nano, 2014, 8(4): 3285-3293.
29	Anoshkin I V, Nasibulin A G, Tian Y, et al. Hybrid carbon source for single-walled carbon nanotube synthesis by aerosol CVD method[J]. Carbon, 2014, 78: 130-136.
30	Kim Y, Chikamatsu M, Azumi R, et al. Industrially feasible approach to transparent, flexible, and conductive carbon nanotube films: cellulose-assisted film deposition followed by solution and photonic processing[J]. Applied Physics Express, 2013, 6(2): 025101.
31	雷沛, 束小文, 刘培元, 等. 氧化铟锡（ITO）薄膜溅射生长及光电性能调控[J]. 表面技术, 2022, 51(8): 100-106.
	Lei P, Shu X W, Liu P Y, et al. Growth and the tunable optical and electrical of sputtered ITO films[J]. Surface Technology, 2022, 51(8): 100-106.

[1]	Wenxuan ZHOU, Zhen LIU, Fujian ZHANG, Zhongqiang ZHANG. Mechanism of water treatment by high permeability-selectivity time dimension membrane method [J]. CIESC Journal, 2024, 75(7): 2583-2593.
[2]	Lulu ZHAO, Erjun TANG, Xuteng XING, Shaojie LIU, Xiaomeng CHU, Na HU, Ze ZHANG. Effects of POSS modified graphene oxide in anti-corrosion and hydrophobic properties of coatings [J]. CIESC Journal, 2024, 75(5): 1977-1986.
[3]	Wenyan ZHANG, Hao LIU, Weilong SONG, Pin ZHAO, Xinhua WANG. Construction and performance evaluation of TFN-FO membranes incorporated with UiO-66 nanoparticles of different sizes [J]. CIESC Journal, 2024, 75(5): 1920-1928.
[4]	Youming SI, Lingfeng ZHENG, Pengzhong CHEN, Jiangli FAN, Xiaojun PENG. Performance and mechanism of novel antimony oxo cluster photoresist [J]. CIESC Journal, 2024, 75(4): 1705-1717.
[5]	Xiaoqing YAN, Ying ZHAO, Yuzhe ZHANG, Honghui OU, Qizhong HUANG, Huagui HU, Guidong YANG. Preparation of five-fold twinned copper nanowires@polypyrrole and their electrocatalytic conversion of nitrate to ammonia [J]. CIESC Journal, 2024, 75(4): 1519-1532.
[6]	Yuwei YANG, Min LI, Zhiying YAO, Qinlin SUN, Yang LIU, Dan GE, Bingbing SUN. Application and prospect of organoids-on-chip in the study of nano-drug delivery systems [J]. CIESC Journal, 2024, 75(4): 1209-1221.
[7]	Yu CAO, Guohui ZHANG, Ang GAO, Xinyu DU, Jing ZHOU, Yongmao CAI, Xuan YU, Xiaoming YU. Research progress of two-dimensional MXene materials in solar cells and metal-ion batteries [J]. CIESC Journal, 2024, 75(2): 412-428.
[8]	Yuhua YIN, Can FANG, Qingfeng YI, Guang LI. Impact of different carbon conductive agents on performance of iron-air battery [J]. CIESC Journal, 2024, 75(2): 685-694.
[9]	Yuanchao LIU, Bin GUAN, Jianbin ZHONG, Yifan XU, Xuhao JIANG, Duan LI. Investigation of thermoelectric transport properties of single-layer XSe₂(X=Zr/Hf) [J]. CIESC Journal, 2023, 74(9): 3968-3978.
[10]	Jianbo HU, Hongchao LIU, Qi HU, Meiying HUANG, Xianyu SONG, Shuangliang ZHAO. Molecular dynamics simulation insight into translocation behavior of organic cage across the cellular membrane [J]. CIESC Journal, 2023, 74(9): 3756-3765.
[11]	Cong QI, Zi DING, Jie YU, Maoqing TANG, Lin LIANG. Study on solar thermoelectric power generation characteristics based on selective absorption nanofilm [J]. CIESC Journal, 2023, 74(9): 3921-3930.
[12]	Song HE, Qiaomai LIU, Guangshuo XIE, Simin WANG, Juan XIAO. Two-phase flow simulation and surrogate-assisted optimization of gas film drag reduction in high-concentration coal-water slurry pipeline [J]. CIESC Journal, 2023, 74(9): 3766-3774.
[13]	Jiaqi CHEN, Wanyu ZHAO, Ruichong YAO, Daolin HOU, Sheying DONG. Synthesis of pistachio shell-based carbon dots and their corrosion inhibition behavior on Q235 carbon steel [J]. CIESC Journal, 2023, 74(8): 3446-3456.
[14]	Meibo XING, Zhongtian ZHANG, Dongliang JING, Hongfa ZHANG. Enhanced phase change energy storage/release properties by combining porous materials and water-based carbon nanotube under magnetic regulation [J]. CIESC Journal, 2023, 74(7): 3093-3102.
[15]	Jiali GE, Tuxiang GUAN, Xinmin QIU, Jian WU, Liming SHEN, Ningzhong BAO. Synthesis of FeF₃ nanoparticles covered by vertical porous carbon for high performance Li-ion battery cathode [J]. CIESC Journal, 2023, 74(7): 3058-3067.