Transparent, Conductive, and Flexible Multiwalled Carbon Nanotube/Graphene Hybrid Electrodes with Two Three-Dimensional Microstructures

Abstract

Transparent, conductive, and flexible multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)/graphene hybrids with two three-dimensional microstructures—an interconnected network and a double-layer structure—were prepared. The conductivity and performance of MWCNT/graphene films can be controlled by different microstructures. A photoswitch using a layered heterostructure of a CdTe quantum dot on an interconnected MWCNT/graphene (IN-MWCNT/graphene) electrode shows an enhanced reversible photocurrent with a higher on/off ratio than that of double-layer structures(DL-MWCNT/graphene). Electrochemical capacitors using a IN-MWCNT/graphene network also exhibit an outstanding rate capability and good cycling stability due to a large surface area and high porosity. Results indicate that the IN-MWCNT/graphene hybrid with porous structures and strong π-interaction is an excellent conductive network for multifunctional flexible devices. The performance of MWCNT/graphene hybrid films can be further optimized by the improved interface and microstructures.