Ultra-thin foldable transparent electrodes composed of stacked silver nanowires embedded in polydimethylsiloxane

Abstract We have prepared an ultra-thin flexible transparent conductive electrode with high folding endurance composed of randomly arranged silver nanowires (AgNWs) embedded in polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). A simple preparation method was performed to connect a glass substrate coated with a AgNW network and a glass substrate coated with PDMS. The glass substrate was then removed after the PDMS solidified, and the AgNW–PDMS composite film was peeled off. Moreover, the problem of the high contact resistance caused by the random arrangement of AgNWs was solved by the local joule heat generated by applying voltage to both sides of the AgNW–PDMS composite structure to weld the overlapping AgNWs. The sheet resistance (Rs ) of AgNW–PDMS composite films with different AgNW deposition concentrations decreased by 46.4%–75.8% through this electro-sintering treatment. The embedded structure of the AgNW–PDMS composite ensures better voltage resistance and environmental stability under high temperature and humidity conditions compared with a AgNW network attached to a glass substrate. Additionally, the substrate-free, excellent elasticity and high resilience characteristics resulted in the Rs value of the same composite electrode only increasing by 2.9 ohm/sq after folding four times. The advantage of the metal thermal conductivity makes the joule heat generated by electric injection rapidly diffuse and dissipate in the AgNW-based transparent heater with faster response time and smaller voltage drive than indium tin oxide.

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Electroless Deposition of Silver Nanowires Using Waste Ethylene Glycol for Highly Transparent Flexible Conducting Electrodes

Key Engineering Materials ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/kem.775.254 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 775 ◽

pp. 254-259

Author(s):

Nathaniel de Guzman ◽

Mary Donnabelle L. Balela

Keyword(s):

Ethylene Glycol ◽

Indium Tin Oxide ◽

Silver Nanowires ◽

Average Length ◽

Average Diameter ◽

Optical Transmittance ◽

Transparent Conductive Electrode ◽

Transparent Conducting ◽

Better Than ◽

Excellent Stability

High aspect ratio silver nanowires (AgNWs) with an average length of 40 μm and average diameter of 88 nm were successfully synthesized using waste ethylene glycol as solvent and reducing agent. Silver nanowires with an average length and diameter of 32 μm and 122 nm, were produced after the third cycle of being reused. A transparent conducting film with a sheet resistance of 69 Ω/sq and optical transmittance of 91% was fabricated by Meyer rod coating an ink formulation of AgNWs dispersed in hydroxyethyl celullose (HEC)/methanol/deionized water. The low resistance of the AgNW networks was maintained even after 1000 bending cycles due to HEC acting as binder for the nanowires. The AgNWHEC transparent conductive electrode performed better than bare AgNWs and indium tin oxide (ITO) on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrate after several bending cycles. The AgNW-HEC electrode also showed excellent stability against corrosion.

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Preparation of Transparent Conductive Electrode via Layer-By-Layer Deposition of Silver Nanowires and Its Application in Organic Photovoltaic Device

Nanomaterials ◽

10.3390/nano10010046 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

pp. 46 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

B. Tugba Camic ◽

Hong In Jeong ◽

M. Hasan Aslan ◽

Arif Kosemen ◽

Seongbeom Kim ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sheet Resistance ◽

Indium Tin Oxide ◽

Silver Nanowires ◽

Optical Transmittance ◽

Photovoltaic Device ◽

Organic Photovoltaic ◽

Layer By Layer ◽

Transparent Conductive Electrode ◽

Glass Substrates ◽

Organic Photovoltaic Device

Solution processed transparent conductive electrodes (TCEs) were fabricated via layer-by-layer (LBL) deposition of silver nanowires (AgNWs). First, the AgNWs were coated on (3-Mercaptopropyl)trimethoxysilane modified glass substrates. Then, multilayer AgNW films were obtained by using 1,3-propanedithiol as a linker via LBL deposition, which made it possible to control the optical transmittance and sheet resistance of multilayer thin films. Next, thermal annealing of AgNW films was performed in order to agent their electrical conductivity. AgNW monolayer films were characterized by UV-Vis spectrometer, field emission scanning electron microscopy, optical microscopy, atomic force microscopy and sheet resistance measurement by four-point probe method. The high performances were achieved with multilayer films, which provided sheet resistances of 9 Ω/sq, 11 Ω/sq with optical transmittances of 71%, 70% at 550 nm, which are comparable to commercial indium tin oxide (ITO) electrodes. Finally, an organic photovoltaic device was fabricated on the AgNW multilayer electrodes for demonstration purpose, which exhibited power conversion efficiency of 1.1%.

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Effect of Silver Nanowire Plasmons on Graphene Oxide Coatings Reduction for Highly Transparent Electrodes

Advances in Condensed Matter Physics ◽

10.1155/2018/5045427 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 2018 ◽

pp. 1-7 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Xingzhen Yan ◽

Lu Zhou ◽

Xuefeng Chu ◽

Huan Wang ◽

Fan Yang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Graphene Oxide ◽

Composite Structures ◽

Uv Light ◽

Silver Nanowires ◽

Composite Films ◽

Visible Spectrum ◽

Silver Nanowire ◽

Environmental Stability ◽

Composite Electrodes ◽

Spectrum Region

We prepared transparent conducting composite electrodes composed of silver nanowires (Ag NWs) and reduced graphene oxide (r-GO). We present a simple approach to welding the cross-positions of the Ag NWs by applying pressure at a relatively low temperature (100°C). We examined the Ag NWs/r-GO composite films in terms of their transmission, conductivity, and stability. The plasmonic features of the Ag NWs were used to assist the ultraviolet (UV) light-induced reduction of the GO coating. The r-GO coatings used to form Ag NWs/r-GO composite structures increased the conductivity of the film by providing more efficient electron conductive pathways. The G/D intensity ratios of the GO and r-GO produced by the UV light-induced method without and with Ag NWs were 0.95, 1.01, and 1.04, respectively. The lowest sheet resistance of the composite films was 7 ohm/sq with approximately 82% transparency in the visible spectrum region. No degradation of the films was observed after 2 months. This excellent environmental stability might facilitate applications of Ag NWs/r-GO composite films in optoelectronic devices.

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Enhancement of Characteristics of Transparent Conductive Electrode on Flexible Substrate by Combination of Solution-Based Oxide and Metallic Layers

Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology ◽

10.1166/jnn.2015.11271 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 15 (10) ◽

pp. 7997-8003 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Sung-Jei Hong ◽

Yong-Hoon Kim ◽

Seung-Jae Cha ◽

Yong-Sung Kim

Keyword(s):

Thermal Stability ◽

Sheet Resistance ◽

Flexible Electronics ◽

Indium Tin Oxide ◽

Silver Nanowires ◽

Flexible Substrate ◽

Optical Transmittance ◽

Transparent Conductors ◽

Transparent Conductor ◽

Transparent Conductive Electrode

This study investigates solution-processed transparent conductors with hybrid structure consisting of silver nanowires (AgNWs) and indium-tin-oxide nanoparticles (ITO-NPs) layers fabricated on polymeric flexible polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrate. The transparent conductors had stacked structures of AgNWs/ITO-NPs on 125-μm-thick PET and ITO-NPs/AgNWs/ITO-NPs on 125-μm-thick PET, 188-μm-thick PET, or 700-μm-thick glass substrate, respectively. Successful integrations were possible on the substrates without any deformation or distortion. Sheet resistance of the triplelayered transparent conductor samples exhibits low values ranging from 22.41 Ω/□ to 22.99 Ω/□. Also, their optical transmittance exhibits high values ranging from 83.78 to 87.29% at 550 nm. The triple-layered transparent conductor showed a good thermal stability in terms of sheet resistance and optical transmittance against the high-temperature environment up to 250 °C. All the double and triple-layered transparent conductors fabricated on PET and glass substrates are so stable against the accelerated thermal aging from 110 °C to 130 °C, that ΔR/R0 and ΔT550/T0550 values exhibit less than 0.068 and 0.049, respectively. Furthermore, the layers are so flexible that ΔR/R0 of the layers on PET substrates is lower than 0.1 even at 4.0-mm bending. Especially, triple-layered transparent conductor on 125-μm-thick PET substrates exhibits ΔR/R0 value of 0.042 even at 4.0 mm bending. Thus, it can be concluded that the hybrid structures have the advantage of both thermal stability and flexibility for electrical and optical properties of transparent conductive electrode; which makes them highly applicable in flexible electronics.

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Fabrication and Investigating the Electrical and Optical Properties of Silver Nanowire/Indium Tin Oxide Transparent Conductive Electrodes

JST: Engineering and Technology for Sustainable Development ◽

10.51316/jst.151.etsd.2021.31.3.11 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 31 (3) ◽

pp. 58-62

Keyword(s):

Tin Oxide ◽

Indium Tin Oxide ◽

Figure Of Merit ◽

Silver Nanowires ◽

Silver Nanowire ◽

Optical And Electrical Properties ◽

Electrical And Optical Properties ◽

Transparent Conductive Electrode ◽

Direct Current Sputtering ◽

Transparent Conductive Electrodes

In this study, we analyze the optical and electrical properties of silver nanowires/indium tin oxide transparent conductive electrode (TCE). Silver nanowire was synthesized by polyol method. ITO was deposited by direct-current sputtering. The diameter and length of the synthesized silver nanowire are in the range of 40-70 nm and 5-30 μm, respectively. The silver nanowire TCEs have a rather high resistance (~ 210 Ω /). After a layer of indium tin oxide sputtered on silver nanowire TCE, the resistance dropped sharply (~ 30.1 Ω/◻) corresponding to 84.1% transmittance at 550 nm. The figure of merit of this TCE is 68.3. This result shows that the fabricated silver naowire/indium tin oxide TCEs have great potential in application as window electrodes for solar cells and LED devices.

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Flexible Metal/Polymer Composite Films Embedded with Silver Nanowires as a Stretchable and Conductive Strain Sensor for Human Motion Monitoring

Micromachines ◽

10.3390/mi10060372 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 10 (6) ◽

pp. 372 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Jinjin Luan ◽

Qing Wang ◽

Xu Zheng ◽

Yao Li ◽

Ning Wang

Keyword(s):

Polymer Composite ◽

Silver Nanowires ◽

Composite Films ◽

Strain Sensor ◽

High Sensitivity ◽

Human Motion ◽

Applied Strain ◽

Potential Candidate ◽

Flexible Metal ◽

Metal Polymer

To avoid conductive failure due to the cracks of the metal thin film under external loads for the wearable strain sensor, a stretchable metal/polymer composite film embedded with silver nanowires (AgNWs) was examined as a potential candidate. The combination of Ag film and AgNWs enabled the fabrication of a conductive film that was applied as a high sensitivity strain sensor, with gauge factors of 7.1 under the applied strain of 0–10% and 21.1 under the applied strain of 10–30%. Furthermore, the strain sensor was demonstrated to be highly reversible and remained stable after 1000 bending cycles. These results indicated that the AgNWs could act as elastic conductive bridges across cracks in the metal film to maintain high conductivity under tensile and bending loads. As such, the strain sensor engineered herein was successfully applied in the real-time detection and monitoring of large motions of joints and subtle motions of the mouth.

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All solution-processed silver nanowires composite silica nanospheres antireflection structure with synergetic optoelectronic performance

New Journal of Chemistry ◽

10.1039/d1nj02518j ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Yuxin Tang ◽

Wanying Yin ◽

Yue Huang ◽

Ganghua Zhang ◽

Qingbiao Zhao ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Tin Oxide ◽

Indium Tin Oxide ◽

Silver Nanowires ◽

Great Promise ◽

Silica Nanospheres ◽

Solution Processed ◽

Transparent Conductive Films ◽

Conductive Films

Silver nanowires (AgNWs) network has shown great promise as transparent conductive films (TCFs) due to its excellent optoelectronic performance. In order to replace indium tin oxide (ITO), considerable intricate methods...

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Moisture-Assisted Formation of High-Quality Silver Nanowire Transparent Conductive Films with Low Junction Resistance

Coatings ◽

10.3390/coatings11060671 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (6) ◽

pp. 671

Author(s):

Lipeng Zhou ◽

Yuehui Hu ◽

Hao Gao ◽

Youliang Gao ◽

Wenjun Zhu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Indium Tin Oxide ◽

Capillary Condensation ◽

Silver Nanowire ◽

Environmental Stability ◽

Bending Test ◽

Commercial Application ◽

Junction Resistance ◽

Transparent Conductive Film ◽

Conductive Film ◽

Mechanical Bending

Silver nanowire (AgNWs) transparent conductive film (TCF) is considered to be the most favorable material to replace indium tin oxide (ITO) as the next-generation transparent conductive film. However, the disadvantages of AgNWs, such as easy oxidation and high wire-wire junction resistance, dramatically limit its commercial application. In this paper, moisture treatment was adopted, and water was dripped on the surface of AgNWs film or breathed on the surface so that the surface was covered with a layer of water vapor. The morphology of silver nanowire mesh nodes is complex, and the curvature is large. According to the capillary condensation theory, water molecules preferentially condense near the geometric surface with significant curvature. The capillary force is generated, making the wire-wire junction of AgNWs mesh bond tightly, resulting in good ohmic contact. The experimental results show that AgNWs-TCF treated by moisture has better conductivity, with an average sheet resistance of 20 Ω/sq and more uniform electrical properties. The bending test and adhesion test showed that AgNWs-TCF treated by moisture still exhibited good mechanical bending resistance and environmental stability.

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