Highly robust Ag nanowire flexible transparent electrode with UV-curable polyurethane-based overcoating layer

Abstract

In this study, we explored a novel material package, which adopted a UV-curable Raygloss (R) as an overcoating layer on Ag nanowire network; successfully solved the existing stability issues of Ag nanowire electrodes. The mechanical stabilities were remarkably enhanced by adopting Raygloss (R) as an overcoating layer that showed no degradation in optical or electrical properties after being scratched 100 times or after being wiped 60 times using isopropyl alcohol. Furthermore, the Raygloss (R) coated Ag nanowire electrodes was highly reliable without showing increase in resistance even after 300,000 cycles of bending, while the bare Ag nanowire electrodes showed 23.6% increase in resistance. Furthermore, the overcoating with Raygloss (R) protected the Ag nanowires from oxidation; they remained stable even after 120 h at 85 degrees C. Moreover, the optical transmittance of the Ag nanowire electrodes was confirmed to be enhanced by the Raygloss (R) coating since the refractive index of Raygloss (R) is between that of air and the substrate. Lastly, 10 mu m scales of Ag nanowire patterns with Raygloss (R) overcoating layer was demonstrated by selectively curing the Raygloss (R) with a shadow mask, followed by simple removal of the Ag nanowires in the uncured region using sonication in isopropyl alcohol.