Title: Carbon nanotube net as a conductive and transparent film for solar energy conversion

Authors: Sergio Pinilla; J.L. Balenzategui; C. Morant; E. Elizalde

Addresses: Applied Physics Department, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Avda. Francisco Tomás y Valiente 7, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain ' Photovoltaic Solar Energy Unit, CIEMAT-DER, Avda. Complutense 40, 28040 Madrid, Spain ' Applied Physics Department, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Avda. Francisco Tomás y Valiente 7, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain ' Applied Physics Department, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Avda. Francisco Tomás y Valiente 7, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain

Abstract: Vertically aligned silicon nanowires arrays have been grown through a metal-assisted chemical etching method, giving a heavily absorbing surface. Over this surface, a transparent and conductive net of carbon nanotubes has been formed by chemical vapour deposition. The optical characterisation of the net has been performed by the study of its hemispherical reflectance, and the electrical properties have been obtained by four-point probe method. A high transmittance of the net (over 99%) in the 300-900 nm range is reported. Also, a good sheet resistance value has been obtained (around 3 kΩ/□) for such a thin carbon nanotube net.

Keywords: nanotechnology; silicon nanowires; carbon nanotubes; CNTs; conductive films; transparent films; solar energy conversion; solar power; metal-assisted chemical etching; chemical vapour deposition; CVD; optical characterisation; hemispherical reflectance; electrical properties; sheet resistance value.

DOI: 10.1504/IJNT.2016.079663

International Journal of Nanotechnology, 2016 Vol.13 No.8/9, pp.612 - 618

Published online: 07 Oct 2016 *

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