Non-vacuum fabrication of conductive, mechanochemically stable, flexible Ni-Cu alloy electrodes with customizable composition ratios via laser digital patterning

Abstract

Nickel-Copper (Ni-Cu) alloys exhibit considerable potential for various applications, leveraging the synergistic advantages of both Ni and Cu elements. This study introduces a rapid, effective method for creating Ni-Cu alloy electrodes via the laser digital patterning process. Diverse shapes of Ni-Cu alloy electrodes were generated on both rigid and flexible substrates with customizable composition ratios by modulating the ratios of CuOx to NiOx nanoparticle inks. The electrodes exhibited 2-4 times lower resistivities than the Ni electrode, along with superior thermal oxidation stability (up to 400 degrees C), excellent corrosion resistance (over 3 h in tap water and seawater), and remarkable long-term stability (over nine months in ambient air). Moreover, the transparent flexible Ni-Cu heater, with a low sheet resistance (21.4 Omega/sq) and high transmittance (85 %) demonstrated excellent mechanical bending resistance, and maintained a uniform temperature distribution at 235 degrees C for 2 h.