Carbon nanotube transparent electrodes: A case for photovoltaics

A wide range of thin film photovoltaics (PVs) use transparent conductors (TCs). ZnO:Al, SnO2:F, and In2O3:Sn (ITO) are the most commonly used TCs in PV cells. However, these materials are not ideal for all solar applications. As an alternative, single walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) coatings can be us...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Glatkowski, P., Turevskaya, E., Britz, D., Rich, D., DiCologero, M., Kelliher, T., Sennott, J., Landis, D., Braden, R., Mack, P., Piche, J.
Format: Conference Proceeding
Language:English
Subjects:
Carbon nanotubes
Coatings
Composite materials
Conducting materials
Conductive films
Electrodes
Indium tin oxide
Optical films
Photovoltaic cells
Transistors
Online Access:Request full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:A wide range of thin film photovoltaics (PVs) use transparent conductors (TCs). ZnO:Al, SnO2:F, and In2O3:Sn (ITO) are the most commonly used TCs in PV cells. However, these materials are not ideal for all solar applications. As an alternative, single walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) coatings can be used as a TC. The SWCNT thin films are essentially hole conducting and highly transparent, which is a desirable and previously unobtainable combination of properties for use in photovoltaics. SWNT coatings are solution deposited using standard wet coating processes. Optically, nanotube coatings exhibit high transparency, especially in the near-infrared. Additionally we form multifunctional composites by infiltrating the CNT network with materials suited for a wide range applications and device structures.
ISSN:0160-8371
DOI:10.1109/PVSC.2009.5411252