Fabrication of flexible transparent conductive film (TCF) using single walled carbon nanotubes

In this work, using single walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) made by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process, transparent conductive film (TCF) was prepared for mass production. The optimum dispersion condition and two step sprays coating of aqueous SWNTs solution and organic polymer solutions have enabled us to achieve the high conductivity, excellent flexibility, and strong adhesion. Through the analysis of particle size and zeta potential of dispersed SWNTs in water, it was found that the particle size and solution stability were reduced as dispersing time increased. Acid treatment of sprayed SWNTs layer removed the surfactant and provided a hole doping effect to SWNTs, resulting in significant reduction of the surface resistance of SWNTs film. Consequently, CVD SWNTs flexible transparent conductive film (surface resistance of 270 ohm/sq, transmittance of 82.3% at 550 nm with substrate effect, and of 93.5% without substrate effect) was developed.