Flexible Transparent Crystalline-ITO/Ag Nanowire Hybrid Electrode with High Stability for Organic Optoelectronics

Abstract

Metal nanowires (NWs) are promising transparent conducting electrode (TCE) materials because of their excellent optoelectrical performance, intrinsic mechanical flexibility, and large-scale processability. However, the surface roughness, thermal/chemical instability, and limited electrical conductivity associated with empty spaces between metal NWs are problems that are yet to be solved. Here, we report a highly reliable and robust composite TCE/substrate all-in-one platform that consists of crystalline indium tin oxide (c-ITO) top layer and surface-embedded metal NW (c-ITO/AgNW-GFRH) films for flexible optoelectronics. The c-ITO top layer (thickness: 10–30 nm) greatly improves the electrical performance of a AgNW-based electrode, retaining its transparency even after a high-temperature annealing process at 250 °C because of its thermally stable basal substrate (i.e., AgNW-GFRH). By introducing c-ITO thin film, we achieve an extremely smooth surface (R rms < 1 nm), excellent optoelectrical performance, superior thermal (> 250 °C)/chemical stability (in sulfur-contained solution), and outstanding mechanical flexibility (bending radius = 1 mm). As a demonstration, we fabricate flexible organic devices (organic photovoltaic and organic light-emitting diode) on c-ITO/AgNW-GFRH films that show device performance comparable to that of references ITO/glass substrates and superior mechanical flexibility. With excellent stability and demonstrations, we expect that the c-ITO/AgNW-GFRHs can be used as flexible TCE/substrate films for future thin-film optoelectronics.

Transparent, Flexible, and Stable Polyethersulfone/Copper‐Nanowires/Polyethylene Terephthalate Sandwich‐Structured Films for High‐Performance Electromagnetic Interference Shielding

“…[ 18–20 ] Therefore, the Cu NWs film would be a good alternative candidate to indium tin oxide (ITO) and Ag NWs for use in transparent displays and electrodes. [ 17,37 ] Moreover, the outstanding transparence makes PES/Cu NWs/PET films suitable for transparent observation window in EM environments.…”

Frontiers and Structural Engineering for Building Flexible Zinc–Air Batteries

“…[112] Mature metallurgical techniques and high ductility of metal ensure that flexibility can be obtained by simple processing. [113,114] After introducing the pores through corrosion or other methods, metal-based materials could benefit mass transfer. [115,116] Notably, some metals possessing high ORR or OER catalytic activity themselves can be used directly as catalysts or catalyst precursors.…”

A 1D:2D structured AgNW:MXene composite transparent electrode with high mechanical robustness for flexible photovoltaics

“…15 Currently, indium tin oxide (ITO) is the most reported transparent electrode material among rigid photoelectric devices by virtue of its excellent conductivity and transparency. [16][17][18][19] However, the application of ITO in flexible devices is limited by its inherent brittleness. 20,21 Hence, it is urgent to seek a high-performance ITO-free FTE for allowing the development of flexible photovoltaic devices in the future.…”