Highly stretchable and transparent electrodes enabled by embedded metal meshes

Abstract

Stretchable and transparent electrodes (STEs) are vital and indispensable in developing optoelectronic devices aiming for next-generation flexible electronics. However, the fabrication of high-performance electrodes with both good stretchability and transparency is still challenging. To balance the conductivity and stretchability trade-offs in previously reported STEs, the STEs with embedded metal nickel (Ni) meshes in polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) in this study are designed and tested. The STEs show high optical transparency (81.6%), high stretchability (40%) and low resistance (0.44 Ω). We can further improve the mechanical stretchability of the STEs by designing the Ni mesh patterns, while still maintaining optical and electrical properties.. In addition, this fabrication strategy versatile without sophisticated processing procedures, opening possibility for high-throughput, large-volume, and low-cost production, which would lead to potential applications in wearable medical equipment and transparent electronic devices.