The effect of thermal treatment on polymer-dispersed single-walled carbon nanotube transparent conductive film

Thermal treatment was performed on polymer-dispersed single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) transparent conductive films (TCFs). By using differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetry analysis, Fourier transform infrared and Raman spectroscopies, the proper heating temperature and time were determined, resulting in films with the minimum sheet resistance. The post treatment with proper heating temperature and time was used to decrease the sheet resistance from 1100 to 500 Ω/cm−2 with no change in transparency at 250 °C for 1.5 h. The film thickness and surface roughness were reduced significantly, whereas the hardness increased as a result of the more compact film structure. During the heating, the residual polymeric dispersant acquired considerable fluidity causing morphological changes in the SWCNT TCFs. Furthermore, the polymer content on the film was reduced when the thermal treatment was performed above the decomposition temperature of the polymer, as confirmed by the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis.