Electrical Conductivity Enhancement of a Transparent ZnO Coating by Implementing Nickel Fibers Network

In this article, a zinc oxide (ZnO)-based composite material with an embedded nickel fiber network (NiFs) is presented as a transparent conductive coating. The morphology, microstructure, optical, and electrophysical properties of the obtained composite are studied. A comprehensive analysis of the influence of the nickel fiber concentration on the key characteristics of the material (optical transparency T550 and surface resistance Rs) is carried out. The results demonstrate the possibility of controlling the functional properties of the coating by varying the amount of nickel fibers, which opens up prospects for using the material in optoelectronic devices, including solar cells, displays and touch panels. The developed ZnO/NiFs composite is a promising alternative to traditional transparent electrodes based on metal oxides.