Highly robust Ag nanowire flexible transparent electrode with UV-curable polyurethane-based overcoating layer

Abstract

In this study, we explored a novel material package, which adopted a UV-curable Raygloss® as an overcoating layer on Ag nanowire network; successfully solved the existing stability issues of Ag nanowire electrodes. The mechanical stabilities were remarkably enhanced by adopting Raygloss® as an overcoating layer that showed no degradation in optical or electrical properties after being scratched 100 times or after being wiped 60 times using isopropyl alcohol. Furthermore, the Raygloss® coated Ag nanowire electrodes was highly reliable without showing increase in resistance even after 300,000cycles of bending, while the bare Ag nanowire electrodes showed 23.6% increase in resistance. Furthermore, the overcoating with Raygloss® protected the Ag nanowires from oxidation; they remained stable even after 120h at 85°C. Moreover, the optical transmittance of the Ag nanowire electrodes was confirmed to be enhanced by the Raygloss® coating since the refractive index of Raygloss® is between that of air and the substrate. Lastly, 10μm scales of Ag nanowire patterns with Raygloss® overcoating layer was demonstrated by selectively curing the Raygloss® with a shadow mask, followed by simple removal of the Ag nanowires in the uncured region using sonication in isopropyl alcohol.