Transparent CNT Composites

Abstract
Thin networks of carbon nanotubes not far away from its percolation threshold are used as transparent electrode. At a transmission of about 90% the surface resistance is about 1 kΩ cm and too high to replace ITO. However, it is conducting enough to be used as electrode in electrochemistry. Here the carbon nanotube network is used as conductive backbone structure to deposit another material. In case of conducting polymers the resistance is increasing by about 50–70% for polyaniline and polypyrrol respectively. These CNT/conducting polymer composites are still transparent but now more wavelength selective. The electrical properties are dominated by the CNT whereas the transmission characteristics by the polymer.