Flexible transparent electrode with embedded silver mesh by eco-friendly polymer solution-assisted metal transfer process

Abstract

Flexible transparent electrodes (FTEs) with an embedded metal meshes play an indispensable role in many high-performance optoelectronic devices due to their excellent mechanical stability and low-surface roughness. However, great challenges remain for achieving simple, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly manufacturing of FTEs with embedded metal mesh. In this work, a vacuum-free, mask-free, and plating-free fabrication technique is proposed for FTEs with embedded silver (Ag) mesh by combining an ink-jet printing technique and a newly developed eco-friendly polymer (polyvinyl alcohol) solution-assisted metal transfer process that does not use organic solvents. The fabricated FTEs exhibit excellent optoelectronic performance with an electrical resistance of ~ 1.6 Ω and an optical transmittance at 550 nm of ~ 85.98%. The FTEs with embedded Ag mesh show strong adhesion to the substrate due to their morphology features. The proposed technique offers a promising fabrication strategy with a cost-effective and environmentally friendly process for high-performance printed flexible electronics.Graphical abstract