Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

All-spray multilayer transparent electrode based on Ag nanowires: improved adhesion and thermal/chemical stability

  • Published:
Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Electronics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

All-solution-processed multilayer ZnO/Ag NWs/ZnO/PVP/PVA composite is introduced as a transparent conductive film (TCF) for optoelectronic applications. Unlike conventional film formation methods that impose high investment expenses, scalable spray coating is applied over the layers using a hand-made spray apparatus. The resulting TCF exhibits high transmittance (T, 86% at 550 nm) and low sheet resistance (Rs, 6 Ω/sq), which is comparable to the sputtered counterparts. The bending test demonstrates the flexibility of the multilayer TCF with no noticeable increase in Rs, even after 1500 bending iterations. Moreover, chemical stability test (exposure to a corrosive agent) and adhesion examination confirm the capability of the fabricated TCF. Furthermore, the electrode is also thermally stable in heat up to 280 °C and is resistant against oxidation, as Rs remains almost unchanged after keeping the electrode in normal atmospheric condition for 200 days. The all-solution-processed electrode demonstrates desirable performance as a transparent electrode and potential to be applied in different optoelectronic and photovoltaic devices.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. J.M. Kim, S. Kim, D.H. Shin, S.W. Seo, H.S. Lee, J.H. Kim, C.W. Jang, S.S. Kang, S. Choi, G.Y. Kwak, K.J. Kim, H. Lee, H. Lee, Si-quantum-dot heterojunction solar cells with 16.2% efficiency achieved by employing doped-graphene transparent conductive electrodes. Nano Energy 43, 124–129 (2018)

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. T. Mochizuki, Y. Takigami, T. Kondo, H. Okuzaki, Fabrication of flexible transparent electrodes using PEDOT:PSS and application to resistive touch screen panels. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 135(10), 45972 (2018)

    Google Scholar 

  3. W. Xu, M. Zhang, J. Peng, C. Dai, Chen, Light-extraction enhancement of GaN-based 395 nm flip-chip light-emitting diodes by an Al-doped ITO transparent conductive electrode. Opt. Lett. 43(11), 2684–2687 (2018)

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. A. Awad, M. Raaif, Optical and electrical performance of transparent conductive TiO2/Cu/TiO2 multilayers prepared by magnetron sputtering. J. Mater. Sci.: Mater. Electron. 29, 2815–2824 (2018)

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. S. Pang, Y. Hernandez, X. Feng, K. Müllen, Graphene as transparent electrode material for organic electronics. Adv. Mater. 23(25), 2779–2795 (2011)

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. H. Sun, S. Zhao, W. Chen, J. Lin, Z. Wang, Y. Lin, G. Li, C. Liu, H. Wang, W. Jiang, H. Tao, S. Liu, N. Wang, Y. Cui, W. Ding, B. Han, The resistance temperature stability of ITO film strain gauge: detailed investigate the influence mechanism of (100) preferred orientation of ITO film. J. Mater. Sci: Mater. Electron. 30, 1600–1608 (2019)

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. X.Y. Zeng, Q.K. Zhang, R.M. Yu, C.Z. Lu, A new transparent conductor: silver nanowire film buried at the surface of a transparent polymer. Adv. Mater. 22(40), 4484–4488 (2010)

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. B. Yoo, Y. Kim, C.J. Han, M.S. Oh, J.W. Kim, Recyclable patterning of silver nanowire percolated network for fabrication of flexible transparent electrode. Appl. Surf. Sci. 429, 151–157 (2018)

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. D.Y. Choi, Y.S. Oh, D. Han, S. Yoo, H.J. Sung, S.S. Kim, Highly conductive, bendable, embedded ag nanoparticle wire arrays via convective self-assembly: Hybridization into ag nanowire transparent conductors. Adv. Funct. Mater. 25(25), 3888–3898 (2015)

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. H. Bae, Y. Kim, X. Lee, J. Xu, Y. Park, J. Zheng, T. Balakrishnan, H.R. Lei, Y.I. Kim, Y. Song, K.S. Kim, B. Kim, J. Özyilmaz, B.H. Ahn, S. Hong, Iijima, Roll-to-roll production of 30-inch graphene films for transparent electrodes. Nature nanotech. 5, 574–578 (2010)

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. H.Z. Geng, K.K. Kim, K.P. So, Y.S. Lee, Y. Chang, Y.H. Lee, Effect of acid treatment on carbon nanotube-based flexible transparent conducting films. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 129(25), 7758–7759 (2007)

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Y.H. Kim, C. Sachse, M.L. Machala, C. May, L. Müller-Meskamp, K. Leo, Highly conductive PEDOT:PSS electrode with optimized solvent and thermal post-treatment for ITO-free organic solar cells. Adv. Funct. Mater. 21(6), 1076–1081 (2011)

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. L. Li, T. Zhang, Y. Liu, C. Zhu, Flexible conductor fabrication via silver nanowire deposition on a polydopamine-modified pre-strained substrate. J. Mater. Sci: Mater. Electron. 27, 3193–3201 (2016)

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. M.M. Byranvand, F. Tajabadi, S. Mardi, N. Taghavinia, A.A. Zarandi, A. Dabirian, Controlled electrophoretic deposition of electrochemically exfoliated graphene sheets on Ag nanowires network. Micro Nano Lett. 14(4), 389–393 (2019)

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. J.H. Chang, K.M. Chiang, H.W. Kang, W.J. Chi, J.H. Chang, C. Wub, H.W. Lin, A solution-processed molybdenum oxide treated silver nanowire network: a highly conductive transparent conducting electrode with superior mechanical and hole injection properties. Nanoscale 7, 4572–4579 (2015)

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Q. Sun, S.J. Lee, H. Kang, Y. Gim, H.S. Parkb, J.H. Cho, Positively-charged reduced graphene oxide as an adhesion promoter for preparing a highly-stable silver nanowire film. Nanoscale 7, 6798–6804 (2015)

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. S. Zhu, Y. Gao, B. Hu, J. Li, J. Su, Z. Fan, J. Zhou, Transferable self-welding silver nanowire network as high performance transparent flexible electrode. Nanotechnology 24(33), 335202 (2013)

    Google Scholar 

  18. K. Zilberberg, F. Gasse, R. Pagui, A. Polywka, A. Behrendt, S. Trost, R. Heiderhoff, P. Görrn, T. Riedl, Highly robust indium-free transparent conductive electrodes based on composites of silver nanowires and conductive metal oxides. Adv. Funct. Mater. 24(12), 1671–1678 (2014)

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. G. Ricciardulli, S. Yang, G.A.H. Wetzelaer, X. Feng, P.W.M. Blom, Hybrid silver nanowire and graphene-based solution-processed transparent electrode for organic optoelectronics. Adv. Funct. Mater. 28(14), 1706010 (2018)

    Google Scholar 

  20. J. Liu, M. Xu, J. Li, T. Zhang, X. Chu, F. Jin, Y. Zhai, K. Shi, D. Lu, Solution synthesis of Al:ZnO-AgNWs-Al:ZnO flexible transparent conductive film. J. Mater. Sci: Mater. Electron. 31, 4178–4183 (2020)

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. W. Gaynor, G.F. Burkhard, M.D. McGehee, P. Peumans, Smooth nanowire/polymer composite transparent electrodes. Adv. Mater. 23(26), 2905–2910 (2011)

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. S. De, T.M. Higgins, P.E. Lyons, E.M. Doherty, P.N. Nirmalraj, W.J. Balu, J.J. Boland, J.N. Coleman, Silver nanowire networks as flexible, transparent, conducting films: extremely high dc to optical conductivity ratios. ACS Nano 3(7), 1767–1774 (2009)

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. V. Balaprakash, P. Gowrisankar, S. Sudha, R. Rajkumar, Aluminum doped ZnO transparent conducting thin films prepared by sol-gel dip coating technique for solar cells and optoelectronic applications. Mater. Technol. 33(6), 414–420 (2018)

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. J. Rezek, P. Novák, J. Houška, A.D. Pajdarová, T. Kozák, High-rate reactive high-power impulse magnetron sputtering of transparent conductive Al-doped ZnO thin films prepared at ambient temperature. Thin Solid Films 679, 35–41 (2019)

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. M.J. Jiamprasertboo, S.C. Powell, R. Dixon, A.M. Quesada-Cabrera, Y. Alotaibi, A. Lu, S. Zhuang, T. Sathasivam, I.P. Siritanon, C.J. Parkin, Carmalt, photocatalytic and electrically conductive transparent Cl-doped ZnO thin films via aerosol-assisted chemical vapour deposition. J. Mater. Chem. A 6, 12682–12692 (2018)

    Google Scholar 

  26. M. Arefpour, M.A. Kashi, F.K. Barzoki, M. Noormohammadi, A. Ramazani, Electrodeposited metal nanowires as transparent conductive electrodes: their release conditions, electrical conductivity, optical transparency and chemical stability. Mater. Des. 157, 326–336 (2018)

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. P. Zhang, I. Wyman, J. Hu, S. Lin, Z. Zhong, Y. Tu, Z. Huang, Y. Wei, Silver nanowires: synthesis technologies, growth mechanism and multifunctional applications. Mater. Sci. Eng. B 223, 1–23 (2017)

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Y. Zhang, J. Wang, P. Yang, Convenient synthesis of Ag nanowires with tunable length and morphology. Mater. Res. Bull. 48(2), 461–468 (2013)

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. A. Zarandi, A. Khosravi, M. Dehghani, N. Taghavinia, The role of mixed reaction promoters in polyol synthesis of high aspect ratio Ag nanowires for transparent conducting electrodes. J. Electron. Mater. (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11664-020-08206-7

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. M. Wang, Y. Lian, X. Wang, PPV/PVA/ZnO nanocomposite prepared by complex precursor method and its photovoltaic application. Curr. Appl. Phys. 9, 189–194 (2009)

    Google Scholar 

  31. S.I. White, P.M. Vora, J.M. Kikkawa, K.I. Winey, Resistive switching in bulk silver nanowire-polystyrene composites. Adv. Funct. Mater. 21(2), 233–240 (2011)

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. M. Amjadi, A. Pichitpajongkit, S. Lee, S. Ryu, I. Park, Highly stretchable and sensitive strain sensor based on silver nanowire-elastomer nanocomposite. ACS Nano 8(5), 5154–5163 (2014)

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. J. Hwang, Y. Shim, S. Yoon, S.H. Lee, S. Park, Influence of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) capping layer on silver nanowire networks: theoretical and experimental studies. RSC Adv. 6, 30972–30977 (2016)

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. R. Al-Gaashani, S. Radiman, A.R. Daud, N. Tabet, Y. Al-Douri, XPS and optical studies of different morphologies of ZnO nanostructures prepared by microwave methods. Ceram. Int. 39(3), 2283–2292 (2013)

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. B. Han, K. Pei, Y. Huang, X. Zhang, Q. Rong, Q. Lin, Y. Guo, T. Sun, Ch Guo, D. Carnahan, M. Giersig, Y. Wang, J. Gao, Z. Ren, K. Kempa, Uniform self-forming metallic network as a high-performance transparent conductive electrode. Adv. Mater. 26(6), 873–877 (2014)

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. E.J. Lee, Y.H. Kim, D.K. Hwang, W.K. Choi, J.Y. Kim, Synthesis and optoelectronic characteristics of 20 nm diameter silver nanowires for highly transparent electrode films. RSC Adv. 6, 11702–11710 (2016)

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Z. Yu, Q. Zhang, L. Li, Q. Chen, X. Niu, J. Liu, Q. Pei, Highly flexible silver nanowire electrodes for shape-memory polymer light-emitting diodes. Adv. Mater. 23(5), 664–668 (2011)

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. G.Y. Margulis, M.G. Christoforo, D. Lam, Z.M. Beiley, A.R. Bowring, C.D. Bailie, A. Salleo, M.D. McGehee, Spray deposition of silver nanowire electrodes for semitransparent solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells. Adv. Energy Mater. 3(12), 1657–1663 (2013)

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. D.S. Ghosh, T.L. Chen, V. Mkhitaryan, V. Pruneri, Ultrathin transparent conductive polyimide foil embedding silver nanowires. ACS Appl. Mater. Interface 6(23), 20943–20948 (2014)

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. L. Hu, H.S. Kim, J.Y. Lee, P. Peumans, Y. Cui, Scalable coating and properties of transparent, flexible, silver nanowire electrodes. ACS Nano 4(5), 2955–2963 (2010)

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. T. Akter, W.S. Kim, Reversibly stretchable transparent conductive coatings of spray-deposited silver nanowires. ACS App. Mater. Interface 4(4), 1855–1859 (2012)

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. K. Moon, J.I. Kim, H. Lee, K. Hur, W.C. Kim, H. Lee, 2D graphene oxide nanosheets as an adhesive over-coating layer for flexible transparent conductive electrodes. Sci Rep 3, 1112 (2013)

    Google Scholar 

  43. C. Mayousse, C. Celle, A. Fraczkiewicza, J.P. Simonato, Stability of silver nanowire based electrodes under environmental and electrical stresses. Nanoscale 7, 2107–2115 (2015)

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. S. Nam, M. Song, D.H. Kim, B. Cho, H.M. Lee, J.D. Kwon, S.G. Park, K.S. Nam, Y. Jeong, S.H. Kwon, Y.C. Park, S. Ho, J.W. Kang, S. Jo, C.S. Kim, Ultrasmooth, extremely deformable and shape recoverable Ag nanowire embedded transparent electrode. Sci Rep 4, 4788 (2014)

    Google Scholar 

  45. H. Hagendorfer, K. Lienau, S. Nishiwaki, C.M. Fella, L. Kranz, A.R. Uhl, D. Jaeger, L. Luo, C. Gretener, S. Buecheler, Y.E. Romanyuk, A.N. Tiwari, Highly transparent and conductive ZnO: Al thin films from a low temperature aqueous solution approach. Adv. Mater. 26(4), 632–636 (2014)

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  46. P.C. Hsu, H. Wu, T.J. Carney, M.T. McDowell, Y. Yang, E.C. Garnett, M. Li, L. Hu, Y. Cui, Passivation coating on electrospun copper nanofibers for stable transparent electrodes. ACS Nano 6(6), 5150–5156 (2012)

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  47. F.S.F. Morgenstern, D. Kabra, S. Massip, T.J.K. Brenner, P.E. Lyons, J.N. Coleman, R.H. Friend, Ag-nanowire films coated with ZnO nanoparticles as a transparent electrode for solar cells. Appl. Phys. Lett. 99, 183307 (2011)

    Google Scholar 

  48. B.E. Hardin, W. Gaynor, I.K. Ding, S.B. Rim, P. Peumans, M.D. McGehee, Laminating solution-processed silver nanowire mesh electrodes onto solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells. Org. Electron. 12(6), 875–879 (2011)

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  49. Y. Kim, J.H. Jeon, M.K. Kwon, Indium tin oxide-free transparent conductive electrode for GaN-based ultraviolet light-emitting diodes. ACS App. Mater. Interface 7(15), 7945–7950 (2015)

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  50. M.Y. Lin, W.C. Tu, T.J. Chen, W.F. Xu, L.J. Hsiao, W. Budiawan, S.L. Chen, C.W. Chu, P.K. Wei, Fabrication of flexible indium tin oxide-free polymer solar cells with silver nanowire transparent electrode. Jpn. Jn Appl. Phys. 57, 03DD01 (2018)

    Google Scholar 

  51. M.A. Kasry, G.J. Kuroda, G.S. Martyna, A. Tulevski, A. Bol, Chemical doping of large-area stacked graphene films for use as transparent, Conducting Electrodes. ACS Nano 4(7), 3839–3844 (2010)

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  52. J. Jeon, U. Yoon, C. Kim, R. Lee, A. Xiang, J. Shawky, J. Xi, H.M. Byeon, M. Lee, S. Choi, Y. Maruyama, Matsuo, high-performance solution-processed double-walled carbon nanotube transparent electrode for perovskite solar cells. Adv. Energy Mater. 9(27), 1901204 (2019)

    Google Scholar 

  53. T.M. Higgins, J.N. Coleman, Avoiding resistance limitations in high-performance transparent supercapacitor electrodes based on large-area, high-conductivity PEDOT:PSS films. ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 7(30), 16495–16506 (2015)

    CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Funding

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Polymer and Color Engineering, Amirkabir University of Technology, P.O. Box 15875-4413, Tehran, Iran

    Ali Amiri Zarandi & Alireza Khosravi

  2. Department of Physics, Sharif University of Technology, P.O. Box 11155-9161, Tehran, Iran

    Mehdi Dehghani & Nima Taghavinia

Authors
  1. Ali Amiri Zarandi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Alireza Khosravi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Mehdi Dehghani
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Nima Taghavinia
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

AAZ: Conceptualization, methodology, formal analysis, investigation, writing—original draft, and visualization. AK: validation, resources, and supervision. MD: conceptualization, methodology, and writing—review and editing. NT: validation, resources, writing—review and editing, supervision, and project administration.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Nima Taghavinia.

Ethics declarations

Conflicts of interest

The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

Availability of data and material

Authors are ready to make the data available to editors and reviewers if requested.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Amiri Zarandi, A., Khosravi, A., Dehghani, M. et al. All-spray multilayer transparent electrode based on Ag nanowires: improved adhesion and thermal/chemical stability. J Mater Sci: Mater Electron 31, 14078–14087 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10854-020-03962-y

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10854-020-03962-y

Search

Navigation