A High Aspect Ratio Serpentine Structure for Use As a Strain‐Insensitive, Stretchable Transparent Conductor

• Published in: Small (Weinheim an der Bergstrasse, Germany) Germany), 2018-02, Vol.14 (8), p.n/a
• Main Authors: Jang, Sungwoo, Kim, Choelgyu, Park, Jung Jin, Jin, Ming Liang, Kim, Seon Joon, Park, O Ok, Kim, Taek‐Soo, Jung, Hee‐Tae
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Conductors; Deformation; Electrical resistance; Gas sensors; High aspect ratio; Nanotechnology; Optoelectronics; Resistance; secondary sputtering phenomenon; Serpentine; serpentine structure; strain‐insensitive; stretchable electronics; Stretching; Transmittance; transparent conductors
• ISSN: 1613-6810; 1613-6829
• DOI: 10.1002/smll.201702818

The development of strain‐insensitive stretchable transparent conductors (TCs) is essential for manufacturing stretchable electronics. Despite recent progress, achieving a high optoelectronic performance under applied strain of 50% continues to present a significant challenge in this research field. Herein, an ultratall and ultrathin high aspect ratio serpentine metal structure is described that exhibits a remarkable stretching ability (the resistance remains constant under applied strain of 100%) and simultaneously provides an excellent transparent conducting performance (with a sheet resistance of 7.6 Ω −1 and a transmittance of 90.5%). It is demonstrated that the highly stretchable transparent conducting properties can be attributed to the high aspect ratio feature. A high aspect ratio (aspect ratio of 17–367) structure permits facile deformation of the serpentine structure with in‐plane motion, leading to a high stretching ability. In addition, this structural feature avoids the classic tradeoff between optical transmittance and electrical conductance, providing a high electrical conductance without decreasing the optical transmittance. The practical utility of these devices is tested by using these TCs as stretchable interconnectors among LEDs or in wearable VOC gas sensors. The development of strain‐insensitive stretchable transparent conductors (TCs) is essential for manufacturing stretchable electronics. Herein, an ultratall and ultrathin high aspect ratio serpentine metal structure is described that exhibits remarkable stretching and simultaneously provides excellent transparent conduction. It is demonstrated that the highly stretchable transparent conducting properties can be attributed to the high aspect ratio feature.