Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Facile fabrication of stretchable Ag nanowire/polyurethane electrodes using high intensity pulsed light

  • Research Article
  • Published:
Nano Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Silver nanowires (AgNWs) have emerged as a promising nanomaterial for next generation stretchable electronics. However, until now, the fabrication of AgNWbased components has been hampered by complex and time-consuming steps. Here, we introduce a facile, fast, and one-step methodology for the fabrication of highly conductive and stretchable AgNW/polyurethane (PU) composite electrodes based on a high-intensity pulsed light (HIPL) technique. HIPL simultaneously improved wire–wire junction conductivity and wire–substrate adhesion at room temperature and in air within 50 μs, omitting the complex transfer–curing–implanting process. Owing to the localized deformation of PU at interfaces with AgNWs, embedding of the nanowires was rapidly carried out without substantial substrate damage. The resulting electrode retained a low sheet resistance (high electrical conductivity) of <10 Ω/sq even under 100% strain, or after 1,000 continuous stretching–relaxation cycles, with a peak strain of 60%. The fabricated electrode has found immediate application as a sensor for motion detection. Furthermore, based on our electrode, a light emitting diode (LED) driven by integrated stretchable AgNW conductors has been fabricated. In conclusion, our present fabrication approach is fast, simple, scalable, and costefficient, making it a good candidate for a future roll-to-roll process.

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

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Rogers, J. A.; Someya, T.; Huang, Y. Materials and mechanics for stretchable electronics. Science 2010, 2, 1603–1607.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Xu, S.; Zhang, Y. H.; Cho, J.; Lee, J.; Huang, X.; Jia, L.; Fan, J. A.; Su, Y. W.; Su, J.; Zhang, H. G. et al. Stretchable batteries with self-similar serpentine interconnects and integrated wireless recharging systems. Nat. Commun. 2013, 2, 1543.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Vanfleteren, J.; Gonzalez, M.; Bossuyt, F.; Hsu, Y.-Y.; Vervust, T.; De Wolf, I.; Jablonski, M. Printed circuit board technology inspired stretchable circuits. MRS Bull. 2012, 2, 254–260.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Vervust, T.; Buyle, G.; Bossuyt, F.; Vanfleteren, J. Integration of stretchable and washable electronic modules for smart textile applications. J. Text. Inst. 2012, 2, 1127–1138.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Bossuyt, F.; Vervust, T.; Vanfleteren, J. Stretchable electronics technology for large area applications: Fabrication and mechanical characterization. IEEE Trans. Comp. Pack. Man. Technol. 2013, 2, 229–235.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Lai, Y.-C.; Huang, Y.-C.; Lin, T.-Y.; Wang, Y.-X.; Chang, C.-Y.; Li, Y.; Lin, T.-Y.; Ye, B.-W.; Hsieh, Y.-P.; Su, W.-F. et al. Stretchable organic memory: Toward learnable and digitized stretchable electronic applications. NPG Asia Mater. 2014, 2, e87.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Feng, X.; Yang, B. D.; Liu, Y. M.; Wang, Y.; Dagdeviren, C.; Liu, Z. J.; Carlson, A.; Li, J. Y.; Huang, Y. G.; Rogers, J. A. Stretchable ferroelectric nanoribbons with wavy configurations on elastomeric substrates. ACS Nano 2011, 2, 3326–3332.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Graz, I. M.; Lacour, S. P. Complementary organic thin film transistor circuits fabricated directly on silicone substrates. Organic Electronics 2010, 2, 1815–1820.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Lipomi, D. J.; Tee, B. C. K.; Vosgueritchian, M.; Bao, Z. Stretchable organic solar cells. Adv. Mater. 2011, 2, 1771–1775.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Sekitani, T.; Nakajima, H.; Maeda, H.; Fukushima, T.; Aida, T.; Hata, K.; Someya, T. Stretchable active-matrix organic light-emitting diode display using printable elastic conductors. Nat. Mater. 2009, 2, 494–499.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Kaltenbrunner, M.; Sekitani, T.; Reeder, J.; Yokota, T.; Kuribara, K.; Tokuhara, T.; Drack, M.; Schwö diauer, R.; Graz, I.; Bauer-Gogonea, S. et al. An ultra-lightweight design for imperceptible plastic electronics. Nature 2013, 2, 458–463.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Hu, L. B.; Pasta, M.; Mantia, F. L.; Cui, L. F.; Jeong, S.; Deshazer, H. D.; Choi, J. W.; Han, S. M.; Cui, Y. Stretchable, porous, and conductive energy textiles. Nano Lett. 2010, 2, 708–714.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Yamada, T.; Hayamizu, Y.; Yamamoto, Y.; Yomogida, Y.; Izadi-Najafabadi, A.; Futaba, D. N.; Hata, K. A stretchable carbon nanotube strain sensor for human-motion detection. Nat. Nanotechnol. 2011, 2, 296–301.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Niu, Z. Q.; Dong, H. B.; Zhu, B. W.; Li, J. Z.; Hng, H. H.; Zhou, W. Y.; Chen, X. D.; Xie, S. S. Highly stretchable, integrated supercapacitors based on single-walled carbon nanotube films with continuous reticulate architecture. Adv. Mater. 2013, 2, 1058–1064.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Yu, Z. B.; Niu, X. F.; Liu, Z. T.; Pei, Q. B. Intrinsically stretchable polymer light-emitting devices using carbon nanotube-polymer composite electrodes. Adv. Mater. 2011, 2, 3989–3994.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Sekitani, T.; Someya, T. Stretchable, large-area organic electronics. Adv. Mater. 2010, 2, 2228–2246.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Liang, J. J.; Li, L.; Tong, K.; Ren, Z.; Hu, W.; Niu, X. F.; Chen, Y. S.; Pei, Q. B. Silver nanowire percolation network soldered with graphene oxide at room temperature and its application for fully stretchable polymer light-emitting diodes. ACS Nano 2014, 2, 1590–1600.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Xiao, L.; Chen, Z.; Feng, C.; Liu, L.; Bai, Z.-Q.; Wang, Y.; Qian, L.; Zhang, Y. Y.; Li, Q. Q.; Jiang, K. L. et al. Flexible, stretchable, transparent carbon nanotube thin film loudspeakers. Nano Lett. 2008, 2, 4539–4545.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Hu, L. B.; Yuan, W.; Brochu, P.; Gruner, G.; Pei, Q. B. Highly stretchable, conductive, and transparent nanotube thin films. Appl. Phys. Lett. 2009, 2, 161108.

    Google Scholar 

  20. Kim, K. S.; Zhao, Y.; Jang, H.; Lee, S. Y.; Kim, J. M.; Kim, K. S.; Ahn, J.-H.; Kim, P.; Choi, J.-Y.; Hong, B. H. Largescale pattern growth of graphene films for stretchable transparent electrodes. Nature 2009, 2, 706–710.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Chun, K.-Y.; Oh, Y.; Rho, J.; Ahn, J.-H.; Kim, Y.-J.; Choi, H. R.; Baik, S. Highly conductive, printable and stretchable composite films of carbon nanotubes and silver. Nat. Nanotechnol. 2010, 2, 853–857.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Araki, T.; Nogi, M.; Suganuma, K.; Kogure, M.; Kirihara, O. Printable and stretchable conductive wirings comprising silver flakes and elastomers. IEEE Electr. Device Lett. 2011, 2, 1424–1426.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Park, M.; Im, J.; Shin, M.; Min, Y.; Park, J.; Cho, H.; Park, S.; Shim, M.-B.; Jeon, S.; Chung, D.-Y. et al. Highly stretchable electric circuits from a composite material of silver nanoparticles and elastomeric fibres. Nat. Nanotechnol. 2012, 2, 803–809.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Sun, J.-Y.; Zhao, X. H.; Illeperuma, W. R.; Chaudhuri, O.; Oh, K. H.; Mooney, D. J.; Vlassak, J. J.; Suo, Z. G. Highly stretchable and tough hydrogels. Nature 2012, 2, 133–136.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Keplinger, C.; Sun, J.-Y.; Foo, C. C.; Rothemund, P.; Whitesides, G. M.; Suo, Z. G. Stretchable, transparent, ionic conductors. Science 2013, 2, 984–987.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Hu, L. B.; Kim, H. S.; Lee, J.-Y.; Peumans, P.; Cui, Y. Scalable coating and properties of transparent, flexible, silver nanowire electrodes. ACS Nano 2010, 2, 2955–2963.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Xu, F.; Zhu, Y. Highly conductive and stretchable silver nanowire conductors. Adv. Mater. 2012, 2, 5117–5122.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Lee, P.; Lee, J.; Lee, H.; Yeo, J.; Hong, S.; Nam, K. H.; Lee, D.; Lee, S. S.; Ko, S. H. Highly stretchable and highly conductive metal electrode by very long metal nanowire percolation network. Adv. Mater. 2012, 2, 3326–3332.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Hu, W. L.; Niu, X. F.; Zhao, R.; Pei, Q. B. Elastomeric transparent capacitive sensors based on an interpenetrating composite of silver nanowires and polyurethane. Appl. Phys. Lett. 2013, 2, 083303.

    Google Scholar 

  30. Liang, J. J.; Li, L.; Niu, X. F.; Yu, Z. B.; Pei, Q. B. Elastomeric polymer light-emitting devices and displays. Nat. Photonics 2013, 2, 817–824.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Jiu, J. T.; Nogi, M.; Sugahara, T.; Tokuno, T.; Araki, T.; Komoda, N.; Suganuma, K.; Uchida, H.; Shinozaki, K. Strongly adhesive and flexible transparent silver nanowire conductive films fabricated with a high-intensity pulsed light technique. J. Mater. Chem. 2012, 2, 23561–23567.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Jiu, J. T.; Sugahara, T.; Nogi, M.; Araki, T.; Suganuma, K.; Uchida, H.; Shinozaki, K. High-intensity pulse light sintering of silver nanowire transparent films on polymer substrates: The effect of the thermal properties of substrates on the performance of silver films. Nanoscale 2013, 2, 11820–11828.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Garnett, E. C.; Cai, W. S.; Cha, J. J.; Mahmood, F.; Connor, S. T.; Christoforo, M. G.; Cui, Y.; McGehee, M. D.; Brongersma, M. L. Self-limited plasmonic welding of silver nanowire junctions. Nat. Mater. 2012, 2, 241–249.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Schuller, J. A.; Barnard, E. S.; Cai, W. S.; Jun, Y. C.; White, J. S.; Brongersma, M. L. Plasmonics for extreme light concentration and manipulation. Nat. Mater. 2010, 2, 193–204.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Baffou, G.; Quidant, R.; Girard, C. Heat generation in plasmonic nanostructures: Influence of morphology. Appl. Phys. Lett. 2009, 2, 153109.

    Google Scholar 

  36. Kulkarni, D. D.; Kim, S.; Fedorov, A. G.; Tsukruk, V. V. Light-induced plasmon-assisted phase transformation of carbon on metal nanoparticles. Adv. Funct. Mater. 2012, 2, 2129–2139.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Araki, T.; Sugahara, T.; Jiu, J. T.; Nagao, S.; Nogi, M.; Koga, H.; Uchida, H.; Shinozaki, K.; Suganuma, K. Cu salt ink formulation for printed electronics using photonic sintering. Langmuir 2013, 2, 11192–11197.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  38. Jiu, J.; Araki, T.; Wang, J.; Nogi, M.; Sugahara, T.; Nagao, S.; Koga, H.; Suganuma, K.; Nakazawa, E.; Hara, M. et al. Facile synthesis of very-long silver nanowires for transparent electrodes. J. Mater. Chem. A 2014, 2, 6326–6330.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. De, S.; Higgins, T. M.; Lyons, P. E.; Doherty, E. M.; Nirmalraj, P. N.; Blau, W. J.; Boland, J. J.; Coleman, J. N. Silver nanowire networks as flexible, transparent, conducting films: Extremely high DC to optical conductivity ratios. ACS Nano 2009, 2, 1767–1774.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  40. Madaria, A. R.; Kumar, A.; Ishikawa, F. N.; Zhou, C. W. Uniform, highly conductive, and patterned transparent films of a percolating silver nanowire network on rigid and flexible substrates using a dry transfer technique. Nano Res. 2010, 2, 564–573.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  41. Yun, S.; Niu, X. F.; Yu, Z. B.; Hu, W. L.; Brochu, P.; Pei, Q. B. Compliant silver nanowire-polymer composite electrodes for bistable large strain actuation. Adv. Mater. 2012, 2, 1321–1327.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  42. Amjadi, M.; Pichitpajongkit, A.; Lee, S.; Ryu, S.; Park, I. Highly stretchable and sensitive strain sensor based on silver nanowire–elastomer nanocomposite. ACS Nano 2014, 2, 5154–5163.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  43. Gaynor, W.; Burkhard, G. F.; McGehee, M. D.; Peumans, P. Smooth nanowire/polymer composite transparent electrodes. Adv. Mater. 2011, 2, 2905–2910.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  44. Akter, T.; Kim, W. S. Reversibly stretchable transparent conductive coatings of spray-deposited silver nanowires. ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 2012, 2, 1855–1859.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  45. Zeng, X. Y.; Zhang, Q. K.; Yu, R. M.; Lu, C. Z. A new transparent conductor: Silver nanowire film buried at the surface of a transparent polymer. Adv. Mater. 2010, 2, 4484–4488.

    Google Scholar 

  46. Yu, Z. B.; Zhang, Q. W.; Li, L.; Chen, Q.; Niu, X. F.; Liu, J.; Pei, Q. B. Highly flexible silver nanowire electrodes for shape-memory polymer light-emitting diodes. Adv. Mater. 2011, 2, 664–668.

    Google Scholar 

  47. Hu, W. L.; Niu, X. F.; Li, L.; Yun, S.; Yu, Z. B.; Pei, Q. B. Intrinsically stretchable transparent electrodes based on silvernanowire–crosslinked-polyacrylate composites. Nanotechnology 2012, 2, 344002.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  48. Sun, Y. G.; Gates, B.; Mayers, B.; Xia, Y. N. Crystalline silver nanowires by soft solution processing. Nano Lett. 2002, 2, 165–168.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  49. Hu, X. L.; Krull, P.; de Graff, B.; Dowling, K.; Rogers, J. A.; Arora, W. J. Stretchable inorganic-semiconductor electronic systems. Adv. Mater. 2011, 2, 2933–2936.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  50. Lacour, S. P.; Jones, J.; Wagner, S.; Li, T.; Suo, Z. G. Stretchable interconnects for elastic electronic surfaces. Proc. IEEE 2005, 2, 1459–1467.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  51. Baldan, A. Adhesively-bonded joints and repairs in metallic alloys, polymers and composite materials: Adhesives, adhesion theories and surface pretreatment. J. Mater. Sci. 2004, 2, 1–49.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Microsystems Technology, IMEC and Ghent University, 9052, Gent-Zwijnaarde, Belgium

    Yang Yang & Jan Vanfleteren

  2. The Institute of Scientific and Industrial Research, Osaka University, Ibaraki, Osaka, 567-0047, Japan

    Su Ding, Teppei Araki, Jinting Jiu, Tohru Sugahara, Jun Wang, Tsuyoshi Sekitani & Katsuaki Suganuma

  3. State Key Laboratory of Advanced Welding and Joining, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150001, China

    Su Ding & Jun Wang

Authors
  1. Yang Yang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Su Ding
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Teppei Araki
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Jinting Jiu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Tohru Sugahara
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Jun Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Jan Vanfleteren
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Tsuyoshi Sekitani
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. Katsuaki Suganuma
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Teppei Araki or Jan Vanfleteren.

Electronic supplementary material

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Yang, Y., Ding, S., Araki, T. et al. Facile fabrication of stretchable Ag nanowire/polyurethane electrodes using high intensity pulsed light. Nano Res. 9, 401–414 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12274-015-0921-9

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12274-015-0921-9

Keywords

Search

Navigation