Challenges and Prospects of Bio-Inspired and Multifunctional Transparent Substrates and Barrier Layers for Optoelectronics

Abstract

Bio-inspiration and advances in micro/nanomanufacturing processes have enabled the design and fabrication of micro/nanostructures on optoelectronic substrates and barrier layers to create a variety of functionalities. In this review article, we summarize research progress in multifunctional transparent substrates and barrier layers while discussing future challenges and prospects. We discuss different optoelectronic device configurations, sources of bio-inspiration, photon management properties, wetting properties, multifunctionality, functionality durability, and device durability, as well as choice of materials for optoelectronic substrates and barrier layers. These engineered surfaces may be used for various optoelectronic devices such as touch panels, solar modules, displays, and mobile devices in traditional rigid forms as well as emerging flexible versions.

Polymer-Embedded Silver Microgrids by Particle-Free Reactive Inks for Flexible High-Performance Transparent Conducting Electrodes

“…The metal microgrids may be integrated with various ultrahigh transparency, low haze or ultrahigh transparency, ultrahigh haze glass or plastic substrates depending on the optoelectronic application. 46 For some optoelectronic devices such as OLEDs, device layers less than 100 nm are deposited onto transparent conductors. The larger roughness may cause current leakage or even result in device failure.…”

“…Low haze is desirable for displays, but high haze is desirable for solar cells and light emitting diodes. The metal microgrids may be integrated with various ultrahigh transparency, low haze or ultrahigh transparency, ultrahigh haze glass or plastic substrates depending on the optoelectronic application …”

Evolution of High Symmetry Points of Photonic Alumina Superlattices in a Lithography-Free Approach

“…Advanced nanotechnologies and the trend of device miniaturization promote people to construct sophisticated nanostructures in different periodic arrangements and to explore their exciting physical and chemical phenomena. − Highly ordered nanostructures will offer uniform size, morphology, and controllable particle distribution of nanomaterials. Therefore, light–matter interactions occurring on highly ordered arrays, for instance, surface lattice resonance (SLR), bring new properties and boost a wide range of applications in biochemical sensing, , plasmonics, , photoelectric conversion devices, , etc. Normally, ordered nanostructures can be classified by the lattice type, and square and honeycomb arrangements are two common lattice forms in two-dimensional nanoparticle arrays.…”

Enhanced Mechanical and Thermal Resistances of Nanoimprinted Antireflective Moth‐Eye Surfaces Based on Poly Vinylidene Fluoride/TiO2 Surface Nanocomposites

“…[ 9,10 ] The main advantage of the latter approach is that it provides reduction of reflections over a broad range of spectral bandwidth and incidence angles [ 11 ] which is of great importance to improve light harvesting, particularly in fixed solar modules. [ 12 ] Moth eyes, covered by an array of subwavelength nanocones, have been particularly inspiring as an antireflective approach based on a graded refractive index. [ 13 ] Moth‐eye AR nanostructures have been directly etched onto Si, [ 14 ] or implemented using metal oxide nanostructures such as TiO 2 [ 15 ] or ZnO [ 16 ] to improve the efficiency of solar cells.…”

“…However, for solar energy applications, there is a need to have durable and thermally stable materials. [ 12 ] Polymers, in general, suffer from environmental ageing due to processes of chain scission triggered by UV radiation, temperature, humidity, and air pollution. These processes generally degrade the optical transmittance of the polymer.…”