Flexible, transparent dielectric capacitors with nanostructured electrodes

We have prepared flexible, transparent, dielectric capacitors by spraycasting very thin networks of single walled nanotubes (SWNTs) or silver nanowires (AgNWs) onto either side of free-standing polymer films. Impedance spectroscopy showed these structures to behave as a capacitor in combination with a series resistance. Those capacitors with SWNT electrodes displayed optical transmittance between 57% and 74%, capacitances ranging from 0.4 to 1.1 mu F/cm(2) and series resistances ranging 400 Omega/square-10k Omega/square. However, using AgNW electrodes gave similar transmittance and capacitance but series resistance as low as 60 Omega/square. Finally, the properties of these capacitors were invariant under flexing. VC 2012 American Institute of Physics. [http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4750059]