Novel highly conductive and transparent graphene based conductors

TL;DR

This paper introduces a new graphene-based transparent conductor intercalated with FeCl3, achieving record low sheet resistance and high transparency, outperforming ITO for flexible optoelectronic applications.

Contribution

The study develops a novel graphene-based transparent conductor with record electrical conductivity and transparency, suitable for flexible devices.

Findings

Record low sheet resistance of 8.8 Ohm/square

Optical transmittance higher than 84% in visible range

Outperforms ITO and other carbon-based conductors

Abstract

Future wearable electronics, displays and photovoltaic devices rely on highly conductive, transparent and yet mechanically flexible materials. Nowadays indium tin oxide (ITO) is the most wide spread transparent conductor in optoelectronic applications, however the mechanical rigidity of this material limits its use for future flexible devices. Here we report novel transparent conductors based on few layer graphene (FLG) intercalated with ferric chloride (FeCl3) with an outstandingly high electrical conductivity and optical transparency. We show that upon intercalation a record low sheet resistance of 8.8 Ohm/square is attained together with an optical transmittance higher than 84% in the visible range. These parameters outperform the best values of ITO and of other carbon-based materials, making these novel transparent conductors the best candidates for future flexible optoelectronics.