POLYMER RESEARCH
Fraunhofer shows off touchscreen containing carbon nanotubes / Replacement for ITO
Carbon nanotubes help reduce production costs for touchscreens (Photo: Fraunhofer) |
Germany’s Fraunhofer-Institut für Produktionstechnik und Automatisierung (Fraunhofer IPA, Stuttgart; www.fraunhofer.de) is presenting its new touchscreen containing carbon nanotubes at the “nanotech 2011” fair being held in Tokyo / Japan from 16-18 February. The new type of display contains a thin polymer and carbon-based electrode film under the glass surface as a cheaper alternative to the expensive and rare metal indium-tin oxide (ITO) currently used to make touchscreens. Fraunhofer believes manufacturers of electronic devices will be “very interested” in the new development.
The electrode film is composed of dual layers. The carrier is a substrate made of PET bottle polymer, to which a mixture of carbon nanotubes and electrically conductive polymers is added as a solution – this forms a thin film when dry. Under normal circumstances, this combination of polymers has not proved especially durable, as the plastic materials become brittle and break down, says the research team led by Ivan Kolaric. The inclusion of carbon nanotubes makes the difference, he explains. These harden on the PET to create a network in which the electrically conducting polymers can be firmly anchored.
According to Kolaric, the film is flexible and can be used in a number of ways, including photovoltaic film suitable for application to corrugated roofs or other uneven structures. The production process is currently being tested in a pilot plant, where researchers are studying how the film can be enhanced for a wide variety of applications.
The electrode film is composed of dual layers. The carrier is a substrate made of PET bottle polymer, to which a mixture of carbon nanotubes and electrically conductive polymers is added as a solution – this forms a thin film when dry. Under normal circumstances, this combination of polymers has not proved especially durable, as the plastic materials become brittle and break down, says the research team led by Ivan Kolaric. The inclusion of carbon nanotubes makes the difference, he explains. These harden on the PET to create a network in which the electrically conducting polymers can be firmly anchored.
According to Kolaric, the film is flexible and can be used in a number of ways, including photovoltaic film suitable for application to corrugated roofs or other uneven structures. The production process is currently being tested in a pilot plant, where researchers are studying how the film can be enhanced for a wide variety of applications.
16.02.2011 Plasteurope.com [218581-0]
Published on 16.02.2011