Showing papers by "Vittorio Scardaci published in 2011"

Spray deposition of highly transparent, low-resistance networks of silver nanowires over large areas.

Abstract: A method to produce scalable, low-resistance, high-transparency, percolating networks of silver nanowires by spray coating is presented. By optimizing the spraying parameters, networks with a sheet resistance of R(s) ≈ 50 Ω □(-1) at a transparency of T = 90% can be produced. The critical processing parameter is shown to be the spraying pressure. Optimizing the pressure reduces the droplet size resulting in more uniform networks. High uniformity leads to a low percolation exponent, which is essential for low-resistance, high-transparency films.

Nanotube and Graphene Polymer Composites for Photonics and Optoelectronics

Abstract: Polymer composites are an attractive near-term means to exploit the unique properties of single wall carbon nanotubes and graphene. This is particularly true for composites aimed at photonic and optoelectronic applications, where a number of devices have already been demonstrated. These include transparent conductors, saturable absorbers, electroluminescent and photovoltaic devices. Here, we present an overview of such composites, from solution processing of the raw materials, their sorting, characterization, to their incorporation into polymers, device fabrication and testing.

Sensing water vapour

Abstract: A water vapour sensor comprises a substrate and a film of carbon nanotubes impregnated with surfactant on the substrate. The substrate is of material which is inert relative to the film. Two or more electrical conductors are in contact with in spaced apart zones of the film, whereby the impedance of the film may be measured. The sensor is housed in housing which protects the sensor but also allows exposure of the film to water vapour.

Nanomaterial-based films patterned using a soluble coating

Abstract: A film can be patterned with a nanomaterial. Such patterning can, in various embodiments, be performed by applying a uniform mixture of a solute in a solvent to a surface of the film to form a coating of a soluble material on the surface of the film in a pre-defined pattern that defines coated parts of the film and uncoated parts of the film, depositing an aqueous dispersion, including the nanomaterial and a surfactant, on the defined coated and uncoated parts of the film, washing the film to remove the coating of the soluble material and the nanomaterial from the defined coated parts of the film, but not removing the nanomaterial from the defined uncoated parts of the film, along with removing the surfactant from the defined coated and uncoated parts of the film, and leaving a pattern of the nanomaterial on the defined uncoated parts of the film.

Methods for creating an electrically conductive transparent structure

Abstract: Creating an electrically conductive transparent structure. Liquid droplets comprising electrically conductive nanomaterial are deposited randomly onto a surface of a supporting substrate at a desired density to form an electrically conductive transparent network wherein the droplets are released from an applicator. A rate of drying of the liquid is controlled such that the liquid is able to evaporate without substantially damaging the supporting substrate.