Electromechanical characteristics of hybrid transparent conductive films based on graphene with a silver grid

Abstract

A systematic study of the electromechanical properties of graphene films with a silver (Ag) grid is presented for a flexible transparent electrode. Two hybrid structures of a graphene film with a Ag grid, where the silver grid is parallel or aligned at 45° to the direction of bending, were synthesized on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrates. The optical transmittance of the graphene/Ag grid was 90.4%, and the sheet resistance was 29.4 Ω/square. The electromechanical properties of the hybrid films were investigated using an inner/outer bending test system. Compared to the film with Ag grid parallel to the direction of bending, the hybrid film with the Ag grid aligned 45° to the direction of bending showed superior electromechanical properties. Additionally, the linear resistance of the hybrid structure of a graphene film and a Ag grid was measured. The linear resistance of the hybrid film changed slightly while that of the graphene film increased considerably with increasing distance between the two metal electrodes. The results provide useful electromechanical properties for hybrid transparent conductive films based on a graphene film and a Ag grid for the development of flexible optoelectronics.