Enhanced adhesion of Ag nanowire based transparent conducting electrodes for application in flexible electrochromic devices

Silver nanowires (Ag NWs) are currently the most likely to replace indium tin oxide (ITO) as flexible transparent conducting electrodes (FTCEs), but conventional preparation methods such as solution deposition will lead to weak conductivity and low adhesion to the substrate. In this work, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) as a superior mediate for the pressure embedding of Ag NW networks as transparent electrodes with 120 degrees C is demonstrated. The sheet resistance of the PMMA/Ag NWs FTCEs decreases from 32 Omega/sq. to 8.1 Omega/sq. at an optical transmittance of similar to 77.5 %. The calculated value of figures of merit (FoM)is as high as 9.77 x 10(-3) Omega(-1). At the same time, after 10 min of ultrasonication and 30 times of wiping cycle, the sheet resistance is almost unchanged, indicating that the Ag NW networks have good adhesion to the flexible substrate. Meanwhile, the PMMA/Ag NWs FTCEs exhibit good mechanical flexibility with a bending radius up to 0.75 mm. Finally, the successful implementation of the PMMA/Ag NWs FTCEs into a flexible electrochromic device is demonstrated, verifying the applicability of PMMA/Ag NWs FTCEs.

Automated summary

The use of PMMA as a superior mediator for embedding Ag NW networks has resulted in transparent electrodes with excellent conductivity and adhesion. The PMMA/Ag NWs FTCEs exhibit high optical transmittance, good mechanical flexibility, and strong adhesion to flexible substrates.