Plasmonic three-dimensional transparent conductor based on Al-doped zinc oxide-coated nanostructured glass using atomic layer deposition

Gary A. Malek, Tolga Aytug, Qingfeng Liu, Judy Wu

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

7 Scopus citations

Abstract

Transparent nanostructured glass coatings, fabricated on glass substrates, with a unique three-dimensional (3D) architecture were utilized as the foundation for designing plasmonic 3D transparent conductors. Transformation of the nonconducting 3D structure to a conducting porous surface network was accomplished through atomic layer deposition of aluminum-doped zinc oxide (AZO). After AZO growth, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were deposited by electron-beam evaporation to enhance light trapping and decrease the overall sheet resistance. Field emission scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microcopy images revealed the highly porous, nanostructured morphology of the AZO-coated glass surface along with the in-plane dimensions of the deposited AuNPs. Sheet resistance measurements conducted on the coated samples verified that the electrical properties of the 3D network are comparable to those of untextured two-dimensional AZO-coated glass substrates. In addition, transmittance measurements of the glass samples coated at various AZO thicknesses showed preservation of the transparent nature of each sample, and the AuNPs demonstrated enhanced light scattering as well as light-trapping capabilities.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)8556-8561
Number of pages6
JournalACS Applied Materials and Interfaces
Volume7
Issue number16
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 29 2015

Keywords

  • aluminum-doped zinc oxide
  • atomic layer deposition
  • nanostructured glass
  • plasmonic effect
  • three-dimensional electrode
  • transparent conductor

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