Ultrahigh Aspect Ratio Copper-Nanowire-Based Hybrid Transparent Conductive Electrodes with PEDOT:PSS and Reduced Graphene Oxide Exhibiting Reduced Surface Roughness and Improved Stability

Abstract

Copper nanowires (CuNWs) with ultrahigh aspect ratio are synthesized with a solution process and spray-coated onto select substrates to fabricate transparent conductive electrodes (TCEs). Different annealing methods are investigated and compared for effectiveness and convenience. The CuNWs are subsequently combined with the conductive polymer poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) or with reduced graphene oxide (rGO) platelets in order to reduce the surface roughness and improve the durability of the fabricated TCEs. Our best-performing PEDOT:PSS/CuNW films have optical transmittance T550 = 84.2% (at λ = 550 nm) and sheet resistance Rs = 25 Ω/sq, while our best CuNW/rGO films have T550 = 84% and Rs = 21.7 Ω/sq.