Improve the surface of silver nanowire transparent electrode using a double-layer structure for the quantum-dot light-emitting diodes

We developed a double-layer structured transparent electrode for use in flexible quantum-dot light-emitting diodes (QLEDs). Silver nanowires (AgNWs) and highly conductive poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene): poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT: PSS) were coated on a transparent substrate to obtain a highly conductive and flexible transparent electrode. The highly conductive PEDOT: PSS improved the surface roughness of the AgNWs transparent electrode film as well as the surface coverage area of the film. The double-layer structured transparent electrode showed superior mechanical properties than conventional indium-tin oxide (ITO) and AgNWs transparent electrodes. QLEDs with the double-layer structured transparent electrode also showed good reliability under cyclic bending conditions. These results indicate that the double-layer structured AgNWs/ PEDOT: PSS transparent electrode described here is a feasible alternative to ITO transparent electrodes for flexible QLEDs. (C) 2018 The Japan Society of Applied Physics