High-Performance Carbon Nanotube Transparent Conductive Films by Scalable Dip Coating

Transparent conductive carbon nanotube (CNT) films were fabricated by dip-coating solutions of pristine CNTs dissolved in chlorosulfonic acid (CSA) and then removing the CSA. The film performance and morphology (including alignment) were controlled by the CNT length, solution concentration, coating speed, and level of doping. Using long CNTs (similar to 10 mu m), uniform films were produced with excellent optoelectrical performance (similar to 100 Omega/sq sheet resistance at similar to 90% transmittance in the visible), in the range of applied interest for touch screens and flexible electronics. This technique has potential for commercialization because it preserves the length and quality-of the CNTs (leading to enhanced film performance) and:. operates at high CNT concentration and coating speed without using surfactants (decreasing production costs).