High performing AgNW transparent conducting electrodes with a sheet resistance of 2.5 Ω Sq⁻¹ based upon a roll-to-roll compatible post-processing technique

Abstract

A report of transparent and conducting silver nanowires (AgNWs) that produce remarkable electrical performance, surface planarity and environmental stability is given.

Highly Thermal‐Resilient AgNW Transparent Electrode and Optical Device on Thermomechanically Superstable Cellulose Nanorod‐Reinforced Nanocomposites

“…The transparencies of the nanocomposite electrodes were 84% and 83% for TNE10 and TNE20, respectively, compared with 87% for an acrylic film electrode (AE), at a sheet resistance of 12.4–15.6 Ω sq −1 . The transparencies of the nanocomposite electrodes were comparable to those of other reported transparent electrodes based on AgNW–PET (88.8% vs 12.1 Ω sq −1 ) and ITO–glass (84% vs 12 Ω sq −1 ) and were superior to those of electrodes based on ITO–PET (85% vs 40 Ω sq −1 ), CNT–PET/polyethylene naphthalate (PEN)/cycloolefin polymer film Zeonor (optimum 84% vs 60 Ω sq −1 ), pristine graphene–glass (90% vs 352.7 Ω sq −1 ), and modified graphene–glass (89% vs 91.4 Ω sq −1 ) (see Figure S4 in the Supporting Information). In fact, the prospect of improving the electro‐optical property of the AgNW electrodes is endless with the development of new processing strategies.…”

“…In previous studies, it has been reported that the introduction of polyethoxysiloxane or various nanoparticles of TiO 2 , Al 2 O 3 , SiO 2 , ZrO 2 , and ZnO into the AgNW layer can improve the thermal stability of the electrodes by minimizing thermal oxidation of the AgNWs, sometimes at the expense of a reduction in transparency . In our study, we successfully demonstrated a high‐thermal‐performing AgNW electrode with good electro‐optical performance by developing a thermal dimensionally stable nanocomposite substrate that minimized the fragmentation of AgNWs.…”

“…In fact, the prospect of improving the electro‐optical property of the AgNW electrodes is endless with the development of new processing strategies. As an example, an AgNW–PEN electrode with a sheet resistance of 2.5 Ω sq −1 and a transparency of 89.5% has been prepared using a series of thermal embossing, photonic sintering, and nitrogen plasma treatment; the sheet resistance was 37.6 Ω sq −1 without those treatments …”

“…However, ITO is not preferred for flexible electronic applications because of its brittle nature and rising cost . Therefore, nanomaterials such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs), graphene, silver nanowires (AgNWs), copper nanowires, and gold nanowires have been widely studied; these materials are able to produce a flexible conductive nanonetwork on the large‐area substrate with a relatively low density. Especially for CNTs, graphene, and AgNWs, great advancements have been made in their synthesis processes and in the fabrication method, thermal stability, and electro‐optical performance of the resulting flexible transparent electrodes .…”

Smart Sensing Systems Using Wearable Optoelectronics

“…To overcome these disadvantages, studies on the development of metallic nanowires have been actively conducted to increase the density of conducting pathways while reducing contact resistance. In a recent study, Kumal et al developed synthesized AgNWs with a low sheet resistance down to 2.5 Ω sq −1 . To reduce junction contact resistance and synthesize AgNWs with a high‐density conductive network, ethanol was dispersed with AgNWs and formed on the substrate through spray coating, followed by three postprocessing steps, including thermal embossing, photonic sintering, and N 2 plasma treatment.…”