Hybrid Silver Nanowire and Graphene‐Based Solution‐Processed Transparent Electrode for Organic Optoelectronics

• Published in: Advanced functional materials Vol. 28; no. 14
• Main Authors: Ricciardulli, Antonio Gaetano, Yang, Sheng, Wetzelaer, Gert‐Jan A. H., Feng, Xinliang, Blom, Paul W. M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 05.04.2018
• Subjects: Ascent; Conductors; Electrodes; Energy conversion efficiency; exfoliated graphene; flexible electronics; Graphene; Indium tin oxides; Materials science; Nanowires; Optoelectronic devices; organic solar cells; Photovoltaic cells; polymer light‐emitting diodes; Quantum efficiency; silver nanowires; Surface roughness; Tin oxides
• ISSN: 1616-301X; 1616-3028
• DOI: 10.1002/adfm.201706010

The research on transparent conductive electrodes is in rapid ascent in order to respond to the requests of novel optoelectronic devices. The synergic coupling of silver nanowires (AgNWs) and high‐quality solution‐processable exfoliated graphene (EG) enables an efficient transparent conductor with low‐surface roughness of 4.6 nm, low sheet resistance of 13.7 Ω sq−1 at high transmittance, and superior mechanical and chemical stabilities. The developed AgNWs–EG films are versatile for a wide variety of optoelectronics. As an example, when used as a bottom electrode in organic solar cell and polymer light‐emitting diode, the devices exhibit a power conversion efficiency of 6.6% and an external quantum efficiency of 4.4%, respectively, comparable to their commercial indium tin oxide counterparts. Solution‐processed hybrid transparent electrodes are developed by spray‐coating of silver nanowires and exfoliated graphene. Mechanical, chemical, and electronic properties of the silver nanowire network are improved upon the coverage of graphene layer. Uniform morphology, low surface roughness, and high conductivity at high transmittance of the film contribute to highly efficient optoelectronic devices, such as organic solar cells and polymer light‐emitting diode.