Aluminum-Doped ZnO Weld Silver Nanowires-Based High Transmittance, Low Sheet Resistance, and Tough Composite Transparent Conductive Films

Herein, silver nanowires (AgNWs) and aluminum-doped zinc oxide (AZO) are prepared by polyol and gel-sol method, respectively. Then bendable, strong adhesion, flat, and high optical transmittance AgNWs:AZO composite transparent conductive film (TCF) is prepared in an all-solution method. By spinning the AZO to the upper layer of the AgNW networks and annealing at 120 degrees C for 20 min, the junctions of the AgNW networks are welded by the capillary force in the solvent evaporation and AZO crystallization process. The sheet resistance of the TCF is as low as 12.9 omega sq(-1) at an optical transmittance of 92.1% (@550 nm), which is comparable to the indium tin oxide film on glass. The root means square roughness is reduced from 30.1 to 8.48 nm to match the criteria as anode for organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs). Furthermore, the adhesion between the AgNW networks and the substrate has been significantly improved. Finally, a flexible green OLED device with AgNW:AZO TCF as the anode is successfully prepared. The maximum luminous intensity of the prepared OLED is 10 060 cd m(-2), and the maximum current efficiency is 6.43 cd A(-1), which proves the great potential of the film in flexible electronics.

Automated summary

Silver nanowires and aluminum-doped zinc oxide were prepared using polyol and gel-sol method respectively, followed by an all-solution method to prepare a bendable, strong adhesion, flat, and high optical transmittance composite film. The film exhibited low sheet resistance, reduced roughness, and improved adhesion, making it suitable for use as an anode for OLEDs.