Recent advances of metal nanowire based transparent conductive electrodes for flexible chromatic devices

Abstract

Transparent conductive electrodes (TCEs) that can maintain structure integrity and remain highly electrically conductive under large mechanical deformations are strongly desired and urgently needed in flexible optoelectronics. Nevertheless, the TCE technology in flexible electronics remains at a standstill, in which brittle indium tin oxide (ITO) is main material being used. Metal nanowires (NWs) networks with high optoelectronic performance as next-generation TCEs have widespread applications in flexible electronics, such as smart windows, touch panels, solar cells and flat displays. Here we review the latest advances that have been made for metal NWs TCEs, including the strategies for the synthesis of metal NWs, metal NWs films assembly via different solution-based processes and their practical applications as electrodes in various flexible chromic devices, as well as discuss their challenges and perspectives for the future practice.