Degradation mechanisms of silver nanowire electrodes under ultraviolet irradiation and heat treatment

Abstract

We report the degradation mechanisms of the silver nanowire (Ag NW) electrodes that play a significantly important role in the stability of wearable and flexible devices. The degradation mechanisms behind the increase in the sheet resistances of Ag NW electrodes were clarified by investigating the variations in the structure and the chemical composition of the Ag NW electrodes caused by ultraviolet irradiation and thermal treatment. While the shapes of the Ag NWs were affected by melting during the thermal degradation process, the chemical composition of the polyvinylpyrrolidone protective layer on the surfaces of the Ag NWs was not changed. Ultraviolet irradiation deformed the shapes of the Ag NWs because nitrogen or oxygen atoms were introduced to the silver atoms on the surfaces of the Ag NWs. A graphene-oxide flake was coated on the Ag NW electrodes by using a simple dipping method to prevent ultraviolet irradiation and ozone contact with the surfaces of the Ag NWs, and the increase in the sheet resistance in the graphene-oxide-treated Ag NWs was suppressed. These observations will be of assistance to researchers trying to find novel ways to improve the stability of the Ag NW electrodes in next-generation wearable devices.

Flexible biodegradable transparent heaters based on fractal-like leaf skeletons

“…In literature, it has been demonstrated that the leaf skeletons when stored in tap water show significant biodegradation within a few days 58 . In addition, Ag nanowire can be readily degradable using UV irradiation and heat treatment 59 . Ag itself is not toxic to the environment and environmental species and it has been found that the bioaccumulation of the Ag leads to biologically nonreactive compounds during biological processes 60 .…”

Optical characteristics of nanospace of silver nanowire on a silver mirror

“…Let us look at each of these factors. Regarding , the oxide film and the surfactant on the surface of the NW are dependent on each NW and, even in single particles, the gap serving as the spacer changed . Meanwhile, is attributable to the time when the silver film was manufactured and, based on the average surface roughness of the silver film and the maximum height difference, it is thought that uneven spacers appeared, in part, at the time of forming the NWoM.…”

“…Regarding 1 , the oxide film and the surfactant on the surface of the NW are dependent on each NW and, even in single particles, the gap serving as the spacer changed. 19 Meanwhile, 2 is attributable to the time when the silver film was manufactured and, based on the average surface roughness of the silver film and the maximum height difference, it is thought that uneven spacers appeared, in part, at the time of forming the NWoM. Finally, 3 suggests that lattice defects in the atomic arrangement during NW synthesis may have changes the surface shape of the NW, thus causing the multiple resonances.…”

Transmission loss of screen-printed metallization at millimeter-wave frequency

“…As described in the previous section, the more conductive Ag may contribute to smaller transmission losses in the printed transmission line. However, Ag generally degrades faster [11]. Consequently, degradation of the transmission loss should be investigated.…”