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Updated: May 19, 2026
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A Fabrication Method for Highly Stretchable Conductors with Silver Nanowires
Published on: January 21, 2016
Intrinsically stretchable transparent electrodes based on silver-nanowire-crosslinked-polyacrylate composites
1Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
Nanotechnology
|August 14, 2012
Summary
New stretchable transparent composites combine silver nanowires (AgNWs) and poly(acrylate) for high conductivity and elasticity. These materials maintain performance through repeated stretching, showing promise for flexible electronics.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Developing stretchable transparent conductive films is crucial for flexible electronics.
- Existing materials often compromise conductivity, transparency, or durability under strain.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and characterize novel stretchable transparent composites.
- To investigate the relationship between material structure, mechanical properties, and electrical conductivity.
Main Methods:
- Synthesizing composites of silver nanowire (AgNW) networks in a crosslinked poly(acrylate) matrix.
- Incorporating carboxylic acid groups to enhance AgNW-polymer adhesion.
- Measuring electrical sheet resistance and mechanical stretchability (up to 50% strain).
- Conducting cyclic stretching tests (600 cycles) and analyzing composite morphology.
Main Results:
- Achieved high surface conductivity and transparency due to interpenetrating AgNW and polymer networks.
- Demonstrated enhanced stretchability attributed to improved AgNW-polymer bonding via carboxylic acid groups.
- Exhibited excellent mechanical stability, with sheet resistance increasing only 2.3x at 50% strain and minimal change after 600 cycles.
Conclusions:
- The developed AgNW/poly(acrylate) composites offer a promising combination of transparency, conductivity, and stretchability.
- Carboxylic acid functionalization is key to achieving robust adhesion and superior mechanical resilience.
- These materials are suitable for applications requiring durable, flexible transparent electrodes.
