Fabrication of transparent and flexible Ag three-dimensional mesh electrode by thermal roll-to-roll imprint lithography

• Published in: Journal of nanoparticle research : an interdisciplinary forum for nanoscale science and technology 2014-09, Vol.16 (9), p.1, Article 2500
• Main Authors: Kim, Gyutae, Shin, Ju-Hyeon, Choi, Hak-Jong, Lee, Heon
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Brief Communication; Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Chemistry and Materials Science; Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Electrodes; Exact sciences and technology; Fabrication; Fullerenes and related materials; Inorganic Chemistry; Lasers; Lithography; Materials Science; Methods of nanofabrication; Nanocrystalline materials; Nanolithography; Nanoparticles; Nanoscale materials and structures: fabrication and characterization; Nanotechnology; Optical Devices; Optical properties and condensed-matter spectroscopy and other interactions of matter with particles and radiation; Optics; Photonics; Physical Chemistry; Physics; Polymers; Visible and ultraviolet spectra
• ISSN: 1388-0764; 1572-896X
• DOI: 10.1007/s11051-014-2500-5

Ag mesh electrode was researched as a replacement for indium–tin oxide electrode in flexible electronics because of its low sheet resistance and high transparency. In this study, Ag mesh pattern created using Ag nanoparticles (20 nm of diameter) was arranged on a patterned polymer substrate using thermal roll-to-roll imprint lithography. Using this method, the Ag mesh-patterned electrode achieved scalability and high throughput. The fabricated Ag 3D mesh electrode showed an average optical transmittance of 69 %, and sheet resistance of 18 Ω/sq was measured for 60 min of annealing time.