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Cohesively Enhanced Conductivity and Adhesion of Flexible Silver Nanowire Networks by Biocompatible Polymer Sol–Gel Transition
Author(s) -
Jin Yunxia,
Li Lu,
Cheng Yuanrong,
Kong Lingqiang,
Pei Qibing,
Xiao Fei
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
advanced functional materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.069
H-Index - 322
eISSN - 1616-3028
pISSN - 1616-301X
DOI - 10.1002/adfm.201403293
Subject(s) - materials science , polyethylene terephthalate , sheet resistance , indium tin oxide , composite number , polymer , substrate (aquarium) , adhesion , composite material , nanotechnology , layer (electronics) , oceanography , geology
Silver nanowire (AgNW) networks are a promising candidate to replace indium tin oxide (ITO) as transparent conductors. In this paper, a novel transparent composite conductor composed of AgNW/biocompatible alginate gel on a flexible polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrate, with synchronously enhanced adhesion and reduced resistivity, is prepared without high‐temperature annealing. The sheet resistance of the flexible AgNW/PET film reduces from 300 to 50.3 Ohm sq −1 at transmittance of 94%. The optical and electrical performance is superior to that obtained from the flexible ITO film on PET. Meanwhile, the sheet resistance does not show great change after tape test, suggesting a good adhesion of AgNW to the polymer substrate. Moreover, the AgNW composite film shows a good stability to resist long‐term storage, solvent damage, and ultrasonication. Finally, polymer solar cells employing the composite AgNW film as the electrode are realized, displaying an efficiency of 2.44%.