A highly flexible transparent conductive electrode based on nanomaterials

• Published in: NPG Asia materials Vol. 9; no. 10; p. e438
• Main Authors: Kim, Chang-Lae, Jung, Chan-Won, Oh, Young-Jei, Kim, Dae-Eun
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing Group UK 13.10.2017; Nature Publishing Group
• Subjects: 140/133; 639/301/1023/1025; 639/301/1023/303; 639/301/357/1016; 639/301/357/73; 639/301/357/918/1053; Bending stresses; Biomaterials; Carbon nanotubes; Chemistry and Materials Science; Coated electrodes; Contact pressure; Contact stresses; Defrosting; Electric contacts; Electrodes; Energy Systems; Materials Science; Multilayers; Nanomaterials; Nanowires; Optical and Electronic Materials; original-article; Protective coatings; Solid lubricants; Stress concentration; Structural Materials; Surface and Interface Science; Thin Films; Tribology
• ISSN: 1884-4049; 1884-4057
• DOI: 10.1038/am.2017.177

The electrical, optical, thermal, chemical, mechanical and tribological characteristics of a highly flexible transparent conductive electrode (HFTCE) coating based on reduced graphene oxide (rGO), carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and silver nanowires (AgNWs) were investigated under various conditions. The motivation was to develop a highly durable and flexible film for transparent conductive electrode applications. The overall characteristics of multilayers based on rGO, CNTs and AgNWs were found to be much better than those of the single-layer AgNW coating. The rGO and CNT layers served to protect the AgNW layer from damage due to bending and contact sliding motions. The contact pressure and bending stress were effectively distributed by the CNT layer deposited on top of the AgNW layer due to its spring-like behavior. In addition, the shear force from the friction force was reduced by the rGO top layer, which acted as a solid lubricant. Furthermore, the excellent performance of an HFTCE heater based on the rGO/CNT/AgNW coating was demonstrated by the results of a defrosting test. Transparent electrodes: carbon nanomaterials find their silver lining Spraying graphene oxide and carbon nanotubes onto silver nanowire films enhances the flexibility and durability of see-through electrodes. Conventional transparent electrodes, such as indium tin oxide, are made from rigid crystals that are unsuitable for today's increasingly wearable electronic displays. Now, a team led by Dae-Eun Kim at Yonsei University and Young-Jei Oh at KIST, Korea, has detailed a way to optimize conductivity and mechanical properties in promising replacements based on carbon-metal composites. A multifaceted series of experiments revealed that carbon nanotubes added spring-like stress resistance when deposited on transparent silver nanowire films, and a finishing coating of reduced graphene oxide helped lock the nanowires in place and provided lubrication against friction. As a demonstration, the researchers turned the new three-layer electrode into a transparent heater that could selectively remove frost in patterned regions, even after repeated bending. Highly flexible transparent conductive electrode (HFTCE) heater with multilayer structure based on reduced graphene oxide (rGO), carbon nanotube (CNT) and silver nanowire (AgNW). The electrical, chemical, thermal, mechanical and tribological characteristics of the HFTCE heater based on rGO/CNT/AgNW are vastly superior to those of the single layer of AgNW coating. The rGO- and CNT-based layers effectively protect AgNW against contact sliding motion as well as bending/folding. The layers are designed to reduce shear stress induced by friction and distribute the contact pressure. The HFTCE based on rGO, CNT and AgNW was applied to a heater, verifying its outstanding ability to remove frost.