Performance of Nanoring-based Transparent Conductors: a Computational Investigation

Abstract

Metallic nanoring networks can serve as promising flexible transparent electrodes. These materials are crucial components in a wide range of applications, including solar cells, touchscreens and displays. In this work, a computational investigation considers in detail (i) the electrical conductance and optical performance of nanoring networks and (ii) the breakdown of these networks due to electrical damage. The electrical resistance of both the nanorings and the contacts between the rings (junctions) is taken into account. In part (i), the effects of 5 parameters on the electrical sheet resistance and optical transparency are presented. It is shown that several parameter combinations achieve better performance in comparison to indium tin oxide, currently the most widely used transparent electrode. In part (ii), due to electrical damage, the nanoring systems display the formation of a crack, running parallel to the vertical terminals, where a voltage difference is applied. The network degradation is measured by its sheet resistance, and a universal effect is observed: networks with varying filling factors exhibit the same degradation profile.