Preparation Methods of Flexible Transparent Conductive Films: Comparison and Evaluation

Abstract

Indium tin oxide (ITO) has long been the mainstream conductive film in electronic devices, but its inherent defectssuch as scarce indium reserves, high brittleness (incompatible with flexible substrates), and high vacuum-dependent preparation costshave severely limited its application in flexible electronics and large-scale manufacturing. To tackle these challenges, alternative conductive materials, namely MXene, silver nanowires (AgNWs), and metal grids, have garnered widespread research attention. This study systematically analyzes and compares the core properties and intrinsic defects of the three materials. MXene, with its two-dimensional layered structure, delivers excellent electrical conductivity and mechanical flexibility but suffers from poor environmental stability. AgNWs feature high light transmittance and low-cost solution-processable fabrication, yet their tendency to agglomerate and relatively high sheet resistance undermine performance consistency. Metal grids exhibit superior conductivity and long-term stability, while their visible light diffraction and complex patterning processes increase application barriers. Key comparison results of the three materials (including conductivity, flexibility, transmittance, and stability) are summarized in tables. This research aims to provide a practical reference for the selection of conductive materials in different scenarios and offer insights for the optimization of next-generation conductive film technologies.