Work function control in carbon nanosheets via chloride-based metal precursors and their applications as transparent electrodes

Abstract

Work function of carbon nanosheets (CNSs) is easily controlled using various chloride-based metal precursors. The metal ions in the precursors are reduced despite the simple spin coating without posttreatment due to electron transfer from the CNSs to the ions. The work function of CNSs doped with AuCl3, ZnCl2, and CoCl2 presented values of 4.91, 4.77, and 4.69 eV, respectively, which are significantly higher than pristine CNSs (4.60 eV). The reduced metal nanoparticles locally induced electronic modification of the CNSs located in the vicinity, leading to transparent conducting electrodes with high work functions and subsequently a high power conversion efficiency of similar to 2.01% for an ITO-free OPV incorporating a AuCl3-doped CNS electrode. (C) 2016 The Korean Society of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.