1 research outputs found
Tunable Broadband Nanocarbon Transparent Conductor by Electrochemical Intercalation
Optical
transparent and electrical conducting materials with broadband
transmission are important for many applications in optoelectronic,
telecommunications, and military devices. However, studies of broadband
transparent conductors and their controlled modulation are scarce.
In this study, we report that reversible transmittance modulation
has been achieved with sandwiched nanocarbon thin films (containing
carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO)) <i>via</i> electrochemical alkali-ion intercalation/deintercalation.
The transmittance modulation covers a broad range from the visible
(450 nm) to the infrared (5 μm), which can be achieved only
by rGO rather than pristine graphene films. The large broadband transmittance
modulation is understood with DFT calculations, which suggest a decrease
in interband transitions in the visible range as well as a reduced
reflection in the IR range upon intercalation. We find that a larger
interlayer distance in few-layer rGO results in a significant increase
in transparency in the infrared region of the spectrum, in agreement
with experimental results. Furthermore, a reduced plasma frequency
in rGO compared to few-layer graphene is also important to understand
the experimental results for broadband transparency in rGO. The broadband
transmittance modulation of the CNT/rGO/CNT systems can potentially
lead to electrochromic and thermal camouflage applications