P‐15.2: Embedded, Alkanethiolate‐Capped Silver Nanowires for High‐Performance, Chemically Stable Flexible Transparent Electrodes

Abstract

The next‐generation of optoelectronic devices requires transparent conductive electrodes (TCEs) that have well optoelectronic properties and flexibility, together with corrosion resistance and compatibility with large‐scale manufacturing. Here, embedded silver nanowires (AgNWs) with alkanethiolate self‐assembled monolayers (SAM) toward high‐performance TCE are designed via a roll‐to‐roll (R2R) compatible transferring process. A modified polyethylene glycol terephthalate (PET) coated with AgNWs was selectively decorated to lower polar surface energy, followed by roller‐compressing, so that the AgNWs were totally transferred and embedded into the outer surface of an epoxy resin. The exposed surfaces of the embedded AgNWs were further capped with monolayers of methyl terminated alkyl chain via the strong Ag‐S bonds, which does not degrade the conductivity, but offers a remarkable oxidation and corrosion resistance. Besides the chemical stability, the composite film also exhibits superior optoelectronic properties, ultra‐smooth surface, strong adhesion, and excellent mechanical flexibility. With these merits, an all‐in‐one flexible touch panel (TP) enabling multi‐touch was demonstrated by using the AgNWs composite film.