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Flexible and stretchable electrodes for next generation polymer electronics: a review

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  • SPECIAL TOPIC · Molecular Functional Materials and Applications
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Abstract

Transparent conductive electrodes play a significant role in the fabrication and development of optoelectronic devices. As next generation optoelectronic devices tend towards mobile and wearable devices, the added attribute of flexibility or stretchability for these electrodes becomes increasingly important. However, mechanical requirements aside, transparent conductive electrodes must still retain high transparency and conductivity, with the metrics for these parameters being compared to the standard, indium tin oxide. In the search to replace indium tin oxide, two materials that have risen to the forefront are carbon nanotubes and silver nanowires due to their high transparency, conductivity, mechanical compliance, and ease of fabrication. This review highlights recent innovations made by our group in electrodes utilizing carbon nanotubes and silver nanowires, in addition to the use of these electrodes in discrete devices and integrated systems.

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Correspondence to Qibing Pei.

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Chen, D., Liang, J. & Pei, Q. Flexible and stretchable electrodes for next generation polymer electronics: a review. Sci. China Chem. 59, 659–671 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11426-015-5520-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11426-015-5520-9

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