Nano-percolation engineering of carbon nanotube films for ultra-high transmittance exceeding 99 %

Abstract

Flexible and transparent electrodes (FTEs) are fundamental to the advancement of next-generation wearable electronics. Carbon nanotube (CNT)-based transparent films have emerged as compelling alternatives to conventional indium tin oxide (ITO)-based electrodes, owing to their superior optoelectronic properties, exceptional physicochemical stability, and remarkable mechanical flexibility. However, achieving high optical transmittance (T) while preserving electrical conductivity and scalability remains a formidable challenge. Here, we present a novel nano-percolation strategy to integrate high transparency with strong network connectivity in aerogels using a minimal amount of CNTs. Temperature-induced percolation enables the creation of resilient aerogel networks, even at unprecedentedly low CNT concentrations. This approach leads to the fabrication of FTEs exhibiting a T of up to 99.4 %, alongside unparalleled optoelectronic properties and scalability for large-scale production. The CNT films combine high functionality with transparency, making them ideal for a range of advanced applications.