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Published on: June 23, 2017
High-Performance Flexible Transparent Conductive Films Enabled by a Commonly Used Antireflection Layer
Liwen Zhang1, Ya Liu1,2, Liangliang Li1
1Shenzhen Engineering Lab of Flexible Transparent Conductive Films, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China.
Introducing smaller silica nanoparticles (SiO2-NPs) into silver nanowire transparent conductive films (AgNW-based TCFs) simultaneously enhances transmittance and conductivity. This novel approach optimizes optoelectrical properties, achieving superior performance in AgNW-based TCFs.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Optoelectronics
Background:
- Silver nanowire-based transparent conductive films (AgNW-based TCFs) are of significant interest due to their excellent performance.
- Simultaneously improving all performance aspects of AgNW-based TCFs remains a challenge.
- Existing TCFs face limitations in balancing transparency, conductivity, and durability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To optimize the performance of AgNW-based TCFs by incorporating silica nanoparticles (SiO2-NPs) of smaller particle sizes.
- To investigate the impact of SiO2-NPs on the optoelectrical properties, haze, thermal management, and mechanical characteristics of AgNW-based TCFs.
- To achieve simultaneously improved transmittance and conductivity in AgNW-based TCFs.
Main Methods:
- Introduction of smaller silica nanoparticles (SiO2-NPs, size ~21 nm) into AgNW-based TCFs.
- Characterization of optoelectrical properties, including sheet resistance and transmittance.
- Evaluation of haze, surface roughness, flexibility, adhesive force, and thermal management during laser ablation patterning.
Main Results:
- Simultaneous improvement in transmittance and conductivity was achieved.
- An AgNW/SiO2-based TCF exhibited a sheet resistance of 250 Ω/sq and a transmittance of 93.6%, exceeding the bare PET substrate (91.8%).
- SiO2-NPs reduced light scattering via total reflection, leading to low haze, and effectively dissipated heat during laser ablation, enhancing patterning accuracy and protecting the substrate.
Conclusions:
- Smaller SiO2-NPs are crucial for achieving excellent optoelectrical properties in AgNW-based TCFs.
- The developed AgNW/SiO2-based TCFs demonstrate superior comprehensive performance, including enhanced transparency, conductivity, low haze, improved mechanical properties, and thermal stability.
- This study presents a highly effective strategy for advancing AgNW-based TCF technology for various applications.
