Integrating nanodiamonds to improve anticorrosion property and conductivity simultaneously of Ag composite films via layer by layer spin-spray deposition

In this paper, layer by layer spin-spray (LbLSS) deposition is developed to fabricate Ag/NDs composite films on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) surfaces. Component, morphology, thickness and adhesion of the composite coatings were investigated by X-ray diffraction, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope, atomic force microscope and cross-cut test, respectively. The adhesion strength between composite films and substrates increased dramatically with the effects of molecular grafting and chemical etching treatment. Thickness of the Ag/NDs composite films made by 200 passes spray could be adjusted as 350 nm. The conductivity was improved by 27.7% compared to pristine Ag films. According to potentiodynamic polarization curves and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, anticorrosion property of Ag/NDs composite films was enhanced significantly due to the introduction of NDs, especially for the polarization resistance, which was 2.213 x 10(6) Omega.cm(2) for Ag/NDs-5 composite films and about 20 times higher than that of pristine Ag films. On basis of these promising results, the introduction of NDs improved both conductivity and anticorrosion property of silver-based films. Therefore, Ag/NDs composite films pave the way for the development of flexible electronics with excellent conductivity and anticorrosion property.