Combining high conductivity with complete optical transparency: A band structure approach

A comparison of the structural, optical and electronic properties of the recently discovered transparent conducting oxide (TCO), nanoporous Ca ₁₂Al₁₄O₃₃, with those of the conventional TCOs (such as Sc-doped CdO) indicates that this material belongs conceptually to a new class of transparent conductors. For this class of materials, we formulate criteria for the successful combination of high electrical conductivity with complete transparency in the visible range and emphasize the significant correlation between their structural characteristics and electronic and optical properties. Our analysis suggests that this set of requirements can be met for a group of novel materials called electrides which may have desired features such as connected structural cavities, large bandgaps and near-metallic electronic conductivity.