Improving the graphene electrode performance in ultra-violet light emitting diode using silver nanowire networks

This paper reports a systematic study on the characteristics of silver nanowires (AgNWs) coated graphene and its application as a transparent current spreading electrode in ultra-violet light emitting diodes (UV-LEDs). The optimized values of optical transmittance and sheet resistance of AgNWs covered graphene were 87.7% at 375 nm and 50 ± 5 Ω/sq, respectively. Upon applying the AgNWs on graphene electrode, the UV-LED exhibited uniform bright light emission with a reduction in the forward voltage and about four-fold increase in the electroluminescence intensity. We attribute the observed performance improvements to a reduction in the sheet and contact resistances.