Copper Nanowire–Graphene Core–Shell Nanostructure for Highly Stable Transparent Conducting Electrodes

• Published in: ACS nano Vol. 9; no. 3; pp. 3125 - 3133
• Main Authors: Ahn, Yumi, Jeong, Youngjun, Lee, Donghwa, Lee, Youngu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States American Chemical Society 24-03-2015
• Subjects: CHEMICAL VAPOR DEPOSITION; Conduction; Copper; Electrodes; Graphene; INTERFACES; MICROSTRUCTURES; MICROWIRE; Nanostructure; Nanowires; PARTICLES; Photovoltaic cells; Solar cells; X RAYS; transparent conducting electrode; polymer solar cell; core−shell; copper nanowire; graphene
• ISSN: 1936-0851; 1936-086X
• DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.5b00053

A copper nanowire–graphene (CuNW-G) core–shell nanostructure was successfully synthesized using a low-temperature plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition process at temperatures as low as 400 °C for the first time. The CuNW-G core–shell nanostructure was systematically characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Raman, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements. A transparent conducting electrode (TCE) based on the CuNW-G core–shell nanostructure exhibited excellent optical and electrical properties compared to a conventional indium tin oxide TCE. Moreover, it showed remarkable thermal oxidation and chemical stability because of the tight encapsulation of the CuNW with gas-impermeable graphene shells. The potential suitability of CuNW-G TCE was demonstrated by fabricating bulk heterojunction polymer solar cells. We anticipate that the CuNW-G core–shell nanostructure can be used as an alternative to conventional TCE materials for emerging optoelectronic devices such as flexible solar cells, displays, and touch panels.