Transparent conductive film fabrication using intercalating silver nanoparticles within carbon nanotube layers

Carbon nanotubes have received attention as alternative materials to indium tin oxide for application in transparent conductive films. Their electrical conductivity, however, still has to be improved. In this study, a layer-by-layer self-assembly process was demonstrated using nano-silver-coated carbon nanotubes, which help improve electrical conductivity. The method was based on the π-π interaction between the side walls of the carbon nanotubes and nano-silver clusters that were functionalized with benzyl mercaptan. The self-assembled nano-silver cluster monolayer on the surface of the nanotubes can reduce the interfacial contact resistance, thereby leading to high conductivity at a high transparency. The compound was characterized via scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, and the four-point probe method.