Abstract
The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of long-term static bending on the conductive characteristics of indium tin oxide (ITO) thin film in flexible optoelectronics. Two types of substrate are considered, namely ITO on polyethylene naphthalate (ITO/PEN) and ITO on polyethylene terephthalate (ITO/PET). Electrical properties of the ITO/PEN and ITO/PET sheets are measured in situ under static bending at various radii of curvature. Experimental results indicate that no significant change in electrical resistance of the ITO/PEN and ITO/PET sheets is found for compressive bending after 1000 h at a curvature radius of 10 mm or larger. However, the ITO/PEN and ITO/PET sheets are seriously damaged under a tensile bending of 10 mm radius and 5 mm radius, respectively. The given ITO/PET sheet exhibits a greater resistance to long-term mechanical bending than the ITO/PEN one, which is attributed to the effect of stiffness and thickness of substrate. As the given PET substrate has a lower stiffness and thickness than the PEN one, ITO thin film in the ITO/PET sheet has a smaller stress given a bending radius. Consequently, a smaller extent of change in the electrical conductance of ITO thin film is found in the ITO/PET sheet.
Highlights
Flexible organic optoelectronics has recently received much attention due to several advantages, such as flexibility, impact resistance, light weight, low cost, and possible roll-to-roll mass production.It is a promising subject for continuous investigation and development
Addition, theInsurface morphology and roughness and roughness profiles of sheets in as-received and after-bending states are profiles of indium tin oxide (ITO)/polyethylene naphthalate (PEN) and ITO on polyethylene terephthalate (ITO/polyethylene terephthalate (PET)) sheets in as-received and after-bending states are characterized by characterized by atomic(AFM)
Electrical conductance of the ITO/PET sheet remains stable for all the compressive states of long-term static bending
Summary
Flexible organic optoelectronics has recently received much attention due to several advantages, such as flexibility, impact resistance, light weight, low cost, and possible roll-to-roll mass production. Lim et al [12] studied the flexural ability of ITO on PES, PET, and PEN substrates at different radii of curvature under cyclic bending [12] Their results show that Young’s modulus of the substrate significantly affects the conductive stability of ITO electrode and mechanical properties of ITO/substrate film [12]. Changes of electrical conductance in ITO thin film on different polymer substrates are investigated by conducting long-term static bending tests with various radii of curvature. Coatings 2018, 8, x FOR PEER REVIEW electrical conductivity of the given ITO thin films is monitored by in situ electrical resistance help assess lifetime of flexible optoelectronics and clarify the relevant failure mechanisms for longmeasurement during static bending up to 1000 h Such results could help assess lifetime of term static bending. Flexible optoelectronics and clarify the relevant failure mechanisms for long-term static bending
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