Flexible Metal/Oxide/Metal Transparent Electrodes Made of Thermally Evaporated MoO₃/Ag/MoO₃ for Thin Film Heaters

Abstract

The authors report on thermally-evaporated MoO 3 /Ag/MoO 3 multilayer films as a flexible and transparent electrode for high performance flexible thin film heaters (TFHs). Using thermal evaporation, the authors obtain highly flexible MoO 3 /Ag/MoO 3 multilayer films on colorless polyimide substrate without plasma damage. To optimize the thickness of the Ag interlayer, the authors investigate the electrical, optical, morphological, and mechanical properties of MoO 3 /Ag/MoO 3 multilayers as a function of Ag interlayer thickness. Based on a figure of merit value, the authors obtain an optimal MoO 3 /Ag/MoO 3 electrode with a low sheet resistance of 3.17 Ohm/square, a high optical transmittance of 77.85%, and critical bending radius of 1 mm, which are acceptable for fabrication of TFHs. The flexible TFHs (25 Â 25 mm 2 ) fabricated on a thermally evaporated MoO 3 /Ag/MoO 3 electrode shows a high saturation temperature of 118 C even at a low input power of 2.5 W (input voltage 2.5 V) due to very low sheet resistance. Successful operation of the flexible TFHs indicate that the thermally-evaporated MoO 3 /Ag/MoO 3 film is a promising alternative transparent electrode to substitute sputtered Sn-doped In 2 O 3 (ITO) films for highly transparent and flexible TFHs.

Thermally-evaporated C60/Ag/C60 multilayer electrodes for semi-transparent perovskite photovoltaics and thin film heaters

“…Figure 2(a ) and (b) exhibit the Hall measurement results of the CAC films as the thickness of the Ag layer increased (10, 12, 14, 16, 18 nm) with a constant symmetric C 60 thickness of 45 nm. As discussed in our previous work [ 1 , 30 – 33 ], the optical transparency and electrical conductivity of the DMD layers considerably depend on the thickness of the multiple thin layers, particularly the metal interlayer. Therefore, the reported metal interlayer thickness for the optimized DMD electrode ranged from 8 to 14 nm [ 29 , 34 – 37 ].…”

“…Intelligent, next-generation buildings will employ promising technologies, including building automation systems, energy self-production systems, and functional energy-saving windows [1]. Functional windows have attracted attention because the number of windows on building exteriors has rapidly increased.…”

“…Another important component in energysaving functional windows are thin film heaters (TFHs) with high transparency and flexibility that can quickly and effectively remove frost or ice that may occur on the surface of the window. Since the electrical and optical characteristics of the transparent electrodes significantly affect the performance of the TFHs, such as the thermal response time and saturation temperature, it is essential to ensure high-performance transparent and flexible electrodes [1,16]. Various types of TCEs, including metal grid films, metal nanowires, conducting polymer, carbon nanotubes, and graphene, have been commonly used in photovoltaics, TFHs, and optoelectronic devices [17][18][19][20][21][22][23].…”

Structural and electrical characterizations of the as grown and annealed Au/MοO3/In/MoO3/C bandpass filters

“…Metal‐sandwiched molybdenum trioxide is also reported to be highly effective in optoelectronic technology . Mainly, multilayers of MoO 3 /Ag/MoO 3 electrodes are used as flexible and transparent electrodes showing high performance flexible thin film heaters .…”

“…Metal‐sandwiched molybdenum trioxide is also reported to be highly effective in optoelectronic technology . Mainly, multilayers of MoO 3 /Ag/MoO 3 electrodes are used as flexible and transparent electrodes showing high performance flexible thin film heaters . In addition, MoO 3 /Au/MoO 3 is used as transparent anode that can be employed in fabrication of flexible and semitransparent organic solar cells .…”