Novel rare-elements free transparent conductor of Mg(OH)2-C compounds

Abstract

We are now reporting that Mg-C-O-H compound which has a Mg hydroxide symmetry, Mg(OH)2, whose mineral name is Brucite, is an excellent electrical conductor with high optical transparency. We believe that this new material is the first non-oxide type transparent conductor. The compound has approximately 90% of optical transmission and conductivity of approximately 10-2 ωcm with 2.4 μm of thickness. The compound was fabricated through two consecutive processes. First Mg-C films were prepared by magnetron sputtering. Then, post-treatment was done to make the Mg-C react with moisture in the air. These processes yielded Mg(OH)2-C. In this paper, the fabrication processes and optical and electrical conductive properties of the compound will be reported and possible origin of the excellent properties will be discussed. © 2009 The Surface Science Society of Japan.