Embedded Ag/Ni Metal-Mesh with Low Surface Roughness As Transparent Conductive Electrode for Optoelectronic Applications

Abstract

Metal-mesh is one of the contenders to replace indium tin oxide (ITO) as transparent conductive electrodes (TCEs) for optoelectronic applications. However, considerable surface roughness accompanying metal-mesh type of transparent electrodes has been the root cause of electrical short-circuiting for optoelectronic devices, such as organic light-emitting diode (OLED) and organic photovoltaic (OPV). In this work, a novel approach to making metal-mesh TCE has been proposed that is based on hybrid printing of silver (Ag) nanoparticle ink and electroplating of nickel (Ni). By polishing back the electroplated Ni, an extremely smooth surface was achieved. The fabricated Ag/Ni metal-mesh TCE has a surface roughness of 0.17 nm, a low sheet resistance of 2.1 Ω/□, and a high transmittance of 88.6%. The figure of merit is 1450, which is 30 times better than ITO. In addition, the Ag/Ni metal-mesh TCE shows outstanding mechanical flexibility and environmental stability at high temperature and humidity. Using the polished Ag/Ni metal-mesh TCE, a flexible quantum dot light-emitting diode (QLED) was fabricated with an efficiency of 10.4 cd/A and 3.2 lm/W at 1000 cd/m.

Transparent Conducting Electrodes for Quantum Dots Light Emitting Diodes

“…Chen et al [78] reported on fabricated Ag/Ni metal mesh electrodes for QDLEDs using hybrid printing. They polished back the electroplated Ni layer to achieve an extremely smooth surface of embedded metal mesh.…”

“…To solve this problems, several alternatives such amorphous oxide electrodes, metal grid (mesh), metal nanowire, metal network, carbon nanotube (CNT), graphene, graphene oxide, conducting polymer, and hybrid electrodes have been extensively reported. [10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18] In fabricating QDLEDs, several new TCE materials have been employed as anodes or cathodes for hole/ electron injection. With this review, we report on recent research developments in TCEs for QDLEDs.…”

Fabrication of Transparent Conductive Film with Flexible Silver Nanowires Using Roll‐to‐Roll Slot‐Die Coating and Calendering and Its Application to Resistive Touch Panel

“…[1,2] This is a functional film that is electrically conductive while transmitting light in the visible region. [1,2] This is a functional film that is electrically conductive while transmitting light in the visible region.…”

Printable High‐Aspect Ratio and High‐Resolution Cu Grid Flexible Transparent Conductive Film with Figure of Merit over 80 000

“…[25] Moreover, the thicker metal lines by multiple printing passes would further increase the printed line width, which is challenging to achieve high aspect ratio. [26][27][28] Ag metal-meshes with less than 1 Ω □ −1 sheet resistance and 88% transmittance have been fabricated previously by embedding Ag nanoparticles (NPs) into the roll-to-roll imprinted grooves with 1:1 of depth to width aspect ratio and have been successfully applied to touch panel. [26][27][28] Ag metal-meshes with less than 1 Ω □ −1 sheet resistance and 88% transmittance have been fabricated previously by embedding Ag nanoparticles (NPs) into the roll-to-roll imprinted grooves with 1:1 of depth to width aspect ratio and have been successfully applied to touch panel.…”

“…[26][27][28] Ag metal-meshes with less than 1 Ω □ −1 sheet resistance and 88% transmittance have been fabricated previously by embedding Ag nanoparticles (NPs) into the roll-to-roll imprinted grooves with 1:1 of depth to width aspect ratio and have been successfully applied to touch panel. [26] Though electroplating can fill up the grooves, Ni is not the best conductive material. [26] Though electroplating can fill up the grooves, Ni is not the best conductive material.…”