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    Tunable Broadband Nanocarbon Transparent Conductor by Electrochemical Intercalation
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    † †Department of Materials Science and Engineering, §Department of Physics, and ∥Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, United States
    ‡ Department of Physics and Science of Advanced Materials Program, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, Michigan 48859, United States
    *E-mail: [email protected]
    *E-mail: [email protected]
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    ACS Nano

    Cite this: ACS Nano 2017, 11, 1, 788–796
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    https://doi.org/10.1021/acsnano.6b07191
    Published December 29, 2016
    Copyright © 2016 American Chemical Society
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    Abstract

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    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)) via 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.

    Copyright © 2016 American Chemical Society

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    ACS Nano

    Cite this: ACS Nano 2017, 11, 1, 788–796
    Click to copy citationCitation copied!
    https://doi.org/10.1021/acsnano.6b07191
    Published December 29, 2016
    Copyright © 2016 American Chemical Society
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