Layer-by-Layer Assembled Transparent Conductive Graphene Films for Silicon Thin-Film Solar Cells

Abstract

The potential of chemically derived graphene as a solution-processable transparent conductive film has been explored. Synthesis of amine-functionalized graphene oxide was intended for its utilization in layer-by-layer (LBL) assembly. LBL assembly of graphene oxide was utilized to fabricate graphene-based thin films in a scalable and highly reproducible way. It was found that the optical transmittance and sheet resistance of the film decrease with an increase in the number of LBL cycles in a reproducible way. The sheet resistance of the LBL-assembled GO film was improved by an order of magnitude at the same optical transparency due to the good uniformity and stacking of graphene flakes. Furthermore, we demonstrated the potential for the window electrodes of silicon thin-film solar cells.