Nanostructure Transparent Conductors with Tunable Haze
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing nanostructure-based transparent conductors face challenges in achieving high haze/light-scattering while maintaining low sheet resistance and high light transmission, which is insufficient for applications like thin-film photovoltaic devices that require higher haze values than what typical nanostructure-based conductors can provide.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a light-scattering material in combination with conductive nanostructures in various configurations, including as an overcoat layer or intermediate layer, allows for customization of haze levels by adjusting the weight ratio of nanostructures to scattering particles, resulting in high haze values of up to 70% with sheet resistance below 100 Ohms/square.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If more conductive nanostructures are used to reduce sheet resistance, then electrical conductivity is improved, but haze increases and light transmission decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines conductive nanostructures (silver nanowires, aluminum nanowires, copper nanowires, or carbon nanotubes) with light-scattering particles (TiO2, SiO2, ZrO2, or hollow glass microspheres) to create a composite transparent conductor. This composite structure allows simultaneous achievement of low sheet resistance and controlled haze levels, resolving the contradiction between electrical conductivity and light transmission/optical clarity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent systematically varies parameters including the weight ratio of conductive nanostructures to light-scattering particles (from 95:5 to 5:95), particle size (50-500 nm), and concentration to optimize the balance between sheet resistance and optical properties. By changing these parameters, the patent achieves different performance points on the conductivity-transmission-haze trade-off curve
2Illumination intensity
If conventional TCO surface texturing is used to increase haze, then light scattering is improved, but manufacturing complexity and chemical treatment requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the light-scattering function with the transparent conductor layer itself by incorporating light-scattering particles directly into the nanostructure-based conductor. This eliminates the need for separate TCO deposition and surface texturing steps, simplifying the manufacturing process while achieving the desired haze levels
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a binder matrix (polymer or sol-gel derived material) as an intermediary to simultaneously hold the conductive nanostructures and light-scattering particles in a stable configuration. This binder enables both functions to coexist in a single layer without requiring complex chemical treatments or multiple processing steps
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables the creation of transparent conductors with tunable light-scattering properties, suitable for diverse applications, including thin-film photovoltaic devices, by achieving high haze and low sheet resistance, enhancing light input coupling and device performance.
Implementation Method 1
an increased haze in the transparent electrode assists to increase the coupling of external light into a thin-film PV stack via increased scattering of the incoming light into the semiconducting PV stack
Implementation Method 2
transparent conductors based on one or more conductive media such as metallic nanostructures
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to modifications to nanostructure based transparent conductors to achieve increased haze/light-scattering with different and tunable degrees of scattering, different materials, and different microstructures and nanostructures.