Carbon Nanotube-Activated Thin Film Transparent Conductor Applications

Abstract

Carbon nanotubes are an exciting nanomaterial system that exhibit exceptional mechanical and electrical properties. Due to its small diameter of ∼1 nm and high aspect ratio in order of 103, they can readily form interconnected conducting network of continuous film with high transparency. Transparent conductor based on carbon nanotube can be grown directly into a thin-film structure, or can be processed after the growth process. Post-growth arrangement of carbon nanotube into transparent conducting thin films can be achieved by several methods. Most of the methods involve solution-processed approach, while dry-processed approach is also possible. This chapter presents a comprehensive review and methods for fabricating transparent carbon nanotube-activated thin film, which generally demonstrate high conductivity and mechanical flexibility. Comparison on the optical and electrical performance of the carbon nanotube-activated transparent conductors fabricated via different methods is presented in the chapter.