Hybrid PEDOT:PSS to obtain high-performance Ag NW-based flexible transparent electrodes for transparent heaters

Abstract

Silver nanowire (Ag NW) networks are remarkable components that may be able to replace indium tin oxide (ITO) as transparent electrodes. In this paper, the Ag NW based flexible transparent electrodes are prepared via PEDOT:PSS sol–gel transition without vacuum process, provides very high figure of merit by minimizing junction resistance, and also exhibit excellent mechanical robustness against bending. The sheet resistance of the flexible Ag NW-based films reduces from 1000 to 9.4 Ω/sq. at transmittance of ~ 90%. The conduction mechanism involves Ag NWs to PEDOT:PSS carrier injection prior to the formation of a continuous metal conduction pathway. Calculations of figure of merit display a large value of 340, which is superior to that obtained from the flexible ITO, carbon nanotube, graphene, copper nanowire, and other silver nanowire and hybrid thin films. Meanwhile, the sheet resistance does not show great change after tape test due to the effect of PEDOT:PSS. Finally, the successful implementation of the prepared Ag NWs-based transparent electrodes into a flexible transparent heater is demonstrated, verifying the applicability of the electrodes. It is believed that our study is the key step toward realizing the practical use of NW flexible transparent electrodes in various flexible electronic devices.