A study of the electrical properties of graphene-incorporated direct-patternable ZnO thin films

A direct-patternable ZnO thin film was prepared by photochemical solution deposition and the electrical properties were improved by the incorporation of graphene. The transmittance of graphene-incorporated ZnO thin films was similar to that of ZnO thin film due to the incorporation of graphene, which slightly decreased the crystallinity of the ZnO thin films. In addition, the resistivity was improved due to the enhanced mobility due to the π-bond nature of the graphene surface. Graphene-incorporated ZnO thin film was direct-patterned through photochemical solution deposition without a photoresist or conventional dry etching process. These results suggest that a micro-patterned system can be simply fabricated at low cost, and the electrical properties of ZnO thin films can be improved by incorporating graphene. ► Transparent ZnO thin film ► π-bond on surface of graphene has higher electrical mobility. ► Graphene incorporation was not affected to crystallinity and transmittance. ► Electrical conductivity was enhanced by graphene incorporation.