Enhanced electro-optic performance of transparent conductive electrodes through polycrystalline La-doped BaSnO3 and Ag nanowire interaction

Abstract

La-doped BaSnO3 (LBSO) is extensively studied in the field of transparent conductive electrodes (TCEs). Most studies have only reported single-crystal LBSO using epitaxial growth on a single-crystal substrate or an amorphous LBSO-Ag composite electrode. This study fabricates a composite thin film of polycrystalline LBSO and Ag nanowire (Ag NW) for TCEs using a solution process. We manufactured three types of electrodes, including an Ag NW single-layer, LBSO/Ag NW bi-layer, and LBSO/Ag NW/LBSO tri-layer. Furthermore, we compared their optical and electrical properties. The LBSO/Ag NW/LBSO tri-layer structure exhibited a high transmittance of 89% at 550 nm with a low sheet resistance (Rs) of 7.39 & omega;/sq. Through comparison based on the structural design, we confirmed that polycrystalline LBSO provides an electrically conductive pathway between Ag NWs. Based on work function and surface image analysis, we evaluated the electrical and optical effects of the under and upper LBSO layers embedded on Ag NW. The results allowed us to optimize LBSO and Ag NW composite electrodes and validate the potential of polycrystalline LBSO to serve as a conduction path.