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A Fabrication Method for Highly Stretchable Conductors with Silver Nanowires
Published on: January 21, 2016
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Patterned Sandwich-Type Silver Nanowire-Based Flexible Electrode by Photolithography.
Young Un Kim1, Na Yeon Kwon1, Su Hong Park1
1Department of Chemistry, Research Institute for Natural Science, Korea University, 145 Anam-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|December 16, 2021
Summary
This study presents a novel photolithography method for creating patterned silver nanowire (AgNW) electrodes. These flexible AgNW electrodes demonstrate excellent optical and electrical properties, suitable for advanced optoelectronic devices.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Flexible Electronics
Background:
- Silver nanowires (AgNWs) are promising alternatives to brittle indium tin oxide (ITO) for flexible electronics.
- Developing efficient fabrication methods for patterned AgNW electrodes is crucial for device integration.
- Adhesion and patterning challenges hinder the widespread adoption of AgNWs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate a novel, easily scalable photolithography method for fabricating patterned sandwich-type AgNW transparent electrodes.
- To enhance the adhesion between AgNWs and polymer substrates using a cross-linked underlayer.
- To develop a photocross-linkable upper layer for efficient AgNW patterning without complex post-processing.
Main Methods:
- Photolithography was employed to pattern AgNWs on poly(ethylene terephthalate) substrates.
- A cross-linked underlayer was introduced to improve AgNW adhesion.
- A photocross-linkable upper layer composed of poly(sodium-4-styrene sulfonate) (PSS-Na+) and 2,4-hexadiyne-1,6-diol (HDD) was utilized for patterning.
Main Results:
- Fabrication of patterned AgNW electrodes with smooth surface morphology was achieved.
- The electrodes exhibited excellent optical transmittance (94.6% at 550 nm) and low sheet resistance (29.8 Ω/□).
- Flexible polymer solar cells (PSCs) using these electrodes achieved over 10% power conversion efficiency, comparable to ITO-based devices, and demonstrated high mechanical stability.
Conclusions:
- The developed photolithography method offers a simple and effective way to produce high-performance patterned AgNW electrodes.
- These AgNW electrodes are suitable for flexible optoelectronic applications, including PSCs.
- The findings contribute to the advancement of flexible electronics by providing a viable alternative to traditional transparent conductive oxides.
