Abstract
We investigated the effect of different spray-coating parameters on the electro-optical properties of Ag nanowires (NWs). Highly transparent and conductive Ag NW–graphene oxide (GO) hybrid electrodes were fabricated by using the spray-coating technique. The Ag NW percolation network was modified with GO and this led to a reduced sheet resistance of the Ag NW–GO electrode as the result of a decrease in the inter-nanowire contact resistance. Although electrical conductivity and optical transmittance of the Ag NW electrodes have a trade-off relationship, Ag NW–GO hybrid electrodes exhibited significantly improved sheet resistance and slightly decreased transmittance compared to Ag NW electrodes. Ag NW–GO hybrid electrodes were integrated into smart windows based on polymer-dispersed liquid crystals (PDLCs) for the first time. Experimental results showed that the electro-optical properties of the PDLCs based on Ag NW–GO electrodes were superior when compared to those of PDLCs based on only Ag NW electrodes. This study revealed that the hybrid Ag NW–GO electrode is a promising material for manufacturing the large-area flexible indium tin oxide (ITO)-free PDLCs.
Highlights
Smart windows are controllable windows whose optical properties can be altered by applying an electric field
To the best of our knowledge, we report for the first time Ag NW–GO hybrid electrodes integrated into smart windows based on polymer-dispersed liquid crystals (PDLCs)
The spray-coating conditions were optimized for the fabrication of Ag NW–GO hybrid transparent conductive electrodes (TCEs) with high T and low Rs values, which can be used as superior alternatives to Indium tin oxide (ITO) TCEs
Summary
Smart windows are controllable windows whose optical properties can be altered by applying an electric field. They are used for various applications including switchable privacy glasses, vehicle windows, and energy-saving windows [1,2,3]. Among the different electrooptically switchable active components available for smart windows such as polymer-dispersed liquid crystals (PDLCs), chromic materials, and suspended particles, PDLCs are an excellent candidate due to their high transmittance, wide viewing angle, high switching speed, and a relatively simple fabrication process [4,5]. In order to fabricate smart windows based on PDLCs, the PDLC film is positioned between two transparent conductive electrodes (TCEs). Indium tin oxide (ITO) has been commonly used as a TCE
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