Applicability of rutile Ti1-xInxO 2 as a new p-type TiO2-based transparent conducting oxide has been investigated by examining their electronic structures and optical absorption properties;
based on density functional theory plus U calculations. It is found that In doped rutile TiO2 displays metal-like characteristics and the edges of the optical absorption spectra are gradually blue-shifted with the increase of In doping concentration. In addition;
the proper In doping level;
12.5%;
≤;
x;
18.75%;
is proposed in order to achieve excellent conducting properties and high transparency in the visible light region from the calculations of optical absorption spectra in this work. © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved;