Effect of macroscale mesh design of metal nanowire networks on the conductive properties for stretchable electrodes

Satoshi Takane,Yuki Noda,Naomi Toyoshima,Tsuyoshi Sekitani

doi:10.1063/5.0051935

Abstract

Elastic, deformable electrodes have attracted substantial interest owing to their applicability in unconventional stretchable devices. In this study, we investigate the effect of tensile strain on the conductive properties of gold nanowire (AuNW) network electrodes with macroscale mesh structures (mesh-shaped AuNW network electrodes) and the mechanism by which the mesh structure affects its conductivity, with the aim of maintaining a stable conductivity as the electrodes are stretched. At 150% elongation, the proposed AuNW macroscale mesh exhibited a relative resistance change (ΔR/R0) of 11, as opposed to 30 for AuNW network electrodes without a mesh structure. Microstructural analysis revealed that resistance changes in the mesh-shaped AuNW network electrodes depend on the electrode stretching direction and the current direction within the network. Our experimental and analytical results provide a basis for optimizing the mesh design for metal nanowire networks used in stretchable electrodes.

Highlights

The various materials and methods used for preparing stretchable electrodes include nanomaterials, such as metal nanowire[6,7] or nanocarbon,[8,9] and the formation of stretchable macrostructures, such as meshes[10,11] and wavy metals.[12,13] Among these, metal nanowire network electrodes offer a microscale structure in which nanowires are spread randomly over a substrate
We investigate the effect of tensile strain on the conductive properties of gold nanowire (AuNW) network electrodes with macroscale mesh structures and the mechanism by which the mesh structure affects its conductivity, with the aim of maintaining a stable conductivity as the electrodes are stretched
The former shows that the AuNWs form a dense, random network [Fig. 1(d)], while the latter shows that the AuNW network electrode consists of three layers: an Ecoflex layer, an AuNWþEcoflex mixed layer, and an AuNW layer, which indicates that a part of the AuNWs is embedded in Ecoflex [Fig. 1(e)]

Summary

Introduction

The various materials and methods used for preparing stretchable electrodes include nanomaterials, such as metal nanowire[6,7] or nanocarbon,[8,9] and the formation of stretchable macrostructures, such as meshes[10,11] and wavy metals.[12,13] Among these, metal nanowire network electrodes offer a microscale structure in which nanowires are spread randomly over a substrate. This indicates that the stable conductivity of the AuNW network electrodes can be maintained more effectively under tensile strain by serpentine- and rhombic-mesh structures, compared to meshless AuNW network electrodes.

Objectives

Results

Conclusion