Silver Nanowire–Conducting Polymer–ITO Hybrids for Flexible and Transparent Conductive Electrodes with Excellent Durability

• Published in: ACS applied materials & interfaces Vol. 7; no. 29; pp. 15928 - 15934
• Main Authors: Yoo, Ji Hoon, Kim, Yunkyung, Han, Mi Kyoung, Choi, Seonghwa, Song, Ki Yong, Chung, Kwang Choon, Kim, Ji Man, Kwak, Jeonghun
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States American Chemical Society 29.07.2015
• Subjects: silver nanowires; transparent conductive electrodes; flexible electrodes; hybrids; durability
• ISSN: 1944-8244; 1944-8252
• DOI: 10.1021/acsami.5b03855

Solution-processed silver nanowire (AgNW) films have attracted attention as transparent and conductive electrodes for flexible optoelectronic devices and touch screens, to replace sputtered indium–tin-oxide (ITO) films. However, the mechanical flexibility, environmental durability, and the optical (such as transparency and a haze) and electrical properties of the AgNW films should be improved for their practical application. In this work, high-performance and roll-to-roll processed AgNW-based hybrid electrodes comprising poly­(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly­(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) and/or ITO are introduced. The optical and electrical properties of the AgNW films combined with PEDOT:PSS, ITO, or both of them were systematically examined. Among the films, the AgNW–PEDOT:PSS–ITO hybrid film exhibits a high transmittance (88%) and a low sheet resistance (44 Ω sq–1) with a small haze (1.9%). Moreover, the hybrid films show excellent durability to a variety of environmental stresses. By virtues of the high performance and durability, it is believed that the AgNW–PEDOT:PSS–ITO hybrid electrodes are highly suitable for practical use.