Surface Modification of TCOs(Transparent Conductive Oxides) for Colloidal-Ink Based Photoelectronic Devices

Interfacial resistance built at the junction between TCO(Transparent conductive oxide) nano-particle is a massive obstacle for utilizing the colloidal ink for the solution-based fabrication process. In this study, we present a method for modifying surface/interfacial properties of TCO by constructing the core-shell structured TCO-metal composite to produce photoelectric devices. The optical/electrical performance of surface-engineered TCO-metal composites and transparent conductive electrode harnessing colloidal ink-based fabrication process is inspected by transmittance and van der Pauw analysis, which showed 93% transmittance in the visible range and significantly improved electrical conductivity/carrier density/mobility. The ascription of the enhanced optoelectrical response of surface-modified TCO composite is because of electrical junction built-in TCO-metal and metal-metal interface modulating charge-transfer mechanism. Thereby, this work expands the conductive and functional materials scheme for solution-based electrode deposition and encourages the use of a cost-effective solution-based fabrication process for photonic and electronic applications.