Fabrication of submicron linewidth silver grid/ionogel hybrid films for highly stable flexible transparent electrodes via asymmetric wettability template-assisted self-assembly

High-performance flexible transparent electrodes are the basis for the continuous upgrading of optoelectronic devices. Silver grids are attractive for replacing traditional indium tin oxide (ITO) as the premier transparent electrode materials, due to their high transmittance, excellent conductivity, and low cost. However, large line -width and oxidation of silver grids are limiting the practical application of the resulting optoelectronic devices. Here, we report an effective and scalable solution-based method to prepare highly stable flexible transparent silver grid electrodes with submicron linewidth by the asymmetric wettability template-assisted self-assembly of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), which is then encapsulated by a thin transparent conductive ionogel as protective layer. It is demonstrated that the linewidth of silver grids can be precisely controlled by the concentration of the AgNP dispersion. Wrapping with the ionogel nanolayer have no deterioration for conductivity and transmittance of the grid electrodes. The optimized hybrid grid electrodes exhibit low sheet resistance of 24.6 & omega; sq  1 and high transparency of 99%. More importantly, the introduction of the iongel nanolayer endows the hybrid grid elec-trodes with excellent mechanical flexibility and thermal, electrical, and chemical stability. As a proof of concept demonstration, the submicron linewidth silver grid/ionogel hybrid films are successfully used to fabricate flexible smart windows and transparent touch panel. We envision that this work will shed new light on the development of next-generation optoelectronic applications which need ultrahigh resolution displays.

Automated summary

This study reports an effective and scalable solution-based method to prepare highly stable flexible transparent silver grid electrodes with submicron linewidth by the asymmetric wettability template-assisted self-assembly of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), which is then encapsulated by a thin transparent conductive ionogel as protective layer. The optimized hybrid grid electrodes exhibit low sheet resistance of 24.6 Ω/sq and high transparency of 99%, and possess excellent mechanical flexibility and thermal, electrical, and chemical stability. This work sheds new light on the development of next-generation optoelectronic applications which require ultrahigh resolution displays.