Transparent heaters based on the copper micromesh passivated by graf(ph)ene oxide

The paper presents the results of creating and researching the transparent heaters with enhanced performance characteristics. The heaters are based on a composite coating of a new type by contrast with classical solutions based on transparent conductive oxide films. Such a composite coating is copper micromesh obtained using a self-organized template, stabilized by a thin film of graphene oxide (GO). The micromesh coating is formed by magnetron sputtering of copper onto a template obtained as a result of self-organized cracking of a silica film. Then, a graphene oxide film protecting the micromesh coating from thermal and chemical degradation is applied to the micromesh coating by the spray-method. A composite coating with the surface resistance of 8.9 Ohm/sq is obtained with the transparency of 82.8 % at the wavelength of 550 nm. High uniformity of heating and stability of the composite coating are shown when operating under heating up to 97.2 °C for a long time (24 hours). The composite coating of the GO / Cu micro- mesh on a glass substrate 2 mm thick is characterized by the thermal resistance value of 134.2 °C·cm2·W-1, while the ITO literature sample on an equivalent substrate is characterized by the thermal resistance of 94.04 °C·cm2·W-1, which indicates higher heating efficiency at the same specific power dissipation. This fact opens up prospects for its use as an anti-icing coating in aerospace industry.