Development of nanoscale Ni-embedded single-wall carbon nanotubes by electroless plating for transparent conductive electrodes of 375 nm AlGaN-based ultraviolet light-emitting diodes

We propose a nanoscale Ni-embedded single-wall carbon nanotube (SWCNT) composite for transparent conductive electrodes (TCEs) of AlGaN-based ultraviolet light-emitting diodes (UV LEDs). TCEs specifically for the ultraviolet region were developed using Ni selectively electroless-plated SWCNTs. The nanoscale Ni of TCEs improved electrical conductivity and formed ohmic contact with p-GaN while minimizing transmittance loss. We applied Ni-embedded SWCNTs, SWCNTs, and Ni/Au to the TCEs of 375nm UV LEDs. UV LEDs with Ni-embedded SWCNTs showed a 32% higher output power than UV LEDs with conventional Ni/Au TCEs. (C) 2016 The Japan Society of Applied Physics