Improving the properties of indium tin oxide thin films by the incorporation of carbon nanotubes with solution-based techniques

Next-generation of optoelectronic devices require transparent conductive electrodes suitable for light and flexible device construction and compatible with low cost and large-scale production methods. To fulfill these conditions, indium tin oxide (ITO) electrodes were produced by using a solution-based spin coating technique. Different types of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were incorporated into ITO electrodes to improve the electrical, mechanical, and thermal properties. The effect of process parameters including CNT dopant concentration, annealing temperature, and, annealing time were investigated and two-level factorial design was applied to ITO and CNT-ITO hybrid electrodes to support experimental results. The best result in terms of electrical conductivity was obtained by the laboratory type CNT incorporated into ITO with the 0.1 g/L dopant concentration and heat-treatment at 625 °C for 1 h.