Scalable and cost-effective Ag nanowires flexible transparent electrodes

• Published in: RSC advances 2018-01, Vol.8 (22), p.12146-12151
• Main Authors: He, W. W, Yan, X. H, Liang, Y. M, Long, Y. F, Pan, C, Zhao, J. L, Chen, L, Xiong, W, Liu, Q. X
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adhesive strength; Chemistry; Contact resistance; Electrodes; Electronic devices; Nanowires; Optoelectronic devices; Polyethylene terephthalate; Reduction; Silver; Substrates; Tin dioxide
• ISSN: 2046-2069; 2046-2069
• DOI: 10.1039/c7ra13196h

Flexible transparent electrodes (TEs) are important for new electronic devices. This paper reports a scalable, cost effective Ag nanowires (AgNWs) TE, which is made of a SnO 2 · x H 2 O and AgNWs composite layer and a flexible polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottom layer by a solution method at room temperature. The AgNWs/SnO 2 · x H 2 O composite TEs reveal a significant reduction of four orders in magnitude of sheet resistance, from 90 k sq −1 to 12 Ω sq −1 , while retaining transmittance of about 92% at 550 nm. This could be owing to the significant reduction of contact resistance for the weld-like junction of bound AgNWs. Compared with others, this method is characterized by filling gaps of the silver nanowire network with SnO 2 · x H 2 O. In addition, the adhesive forces between the AgNWs and the substrate are improved. This could be attributed to strong adhesion of SnO 2 · x H 2 O with the substrate. Moreover, this foldable transparent electrode is applicable for any non-planar surfaces and ultimately for future wearable optoelectronic devices. This paper reports one of a scalable, cost effective Ag nanowires (AgNWs) TE, which reveals a significant reduction of four orders in magnitude of sheet resistance, from 90 kΩ sq − 1 to 12 Ω sq − 1, while keep transmittance of about 92% at 550 nm.