Carbon nanotube transparent electrodes: A case for photovoltaics

A wide range of thin film photovoltaics (PVs) use transparent conductors (TCs). ZnO:Al, SnO2:F, and In2O3:Sn (ITO) are the most commonly used TCs in PV cells. However, these materials are not ideal for all solar applications. As an alternative, single walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) coatings can be used as a TC. The SWCNT thin films are essentially hole conducting and highly transparent, which is a desirable and previously unobtainable combination of properties for use in photovoltaics. SWNT coatings are solution deposited using standard wet coating processes. Optically, nanotube coatings exhibit high transparency, especially in the near-infrared. Additionally we form multifunctional composites by infiltrating the CNT network with materials suited for a wide range applications and device structures.