Abstract
We report on semi-transparent stretchable Ag films coated on a wavy-patterned polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) substrate for use as stretchable electrodes for stretchable and transparent electronics. To improve the mechanical stretchability of the Ag films, we optimized the wavy-pattern of the PDMS substrate as a function of UV-ozone treatment time and pre-strain of the PDMS substrate. In addition, we investigated the effect of the Ag thickness on the mechanical stretchability of the Ag electrode formed on the wavy-patterned PDMS substrate. The semi-transparent Ag films formed on the wavy-patterned PDMS substrate showed better stretchability (strain 20%) than the Ag films formed on a flat PDMS substrate because the wavy pattern effectively relieved strain. In addition, the optical transmittance of the Ag electrode on the wavy-patterned PDMS substrate was tunable based on the degree of stretching for the PDMS substrate. In particular, it was found that the wavy-patterned PDMS with a smooth buckling was beneficial for a precise patterning of Ag interconnectors. Furthermore, we demonstrated the feasibility of semi-transparent Ag films on wavy-patterned PDMS as stretchable electrodes for the stretchable electronics based on bending tests, hysteresis tests, and dynamic fatigue tests.
Highlights
Ag wrinkled electrodes on the oxygen plasma and Sodium Dodecyl treated PDMS substrates as a metal electrode for wearable wireless sensor[27]
We compared the mechanical properties of thin Ag electrodes sputtered on flat PDMS and wavy-patterned PDMS substrates, and we suggest that thin Ag films on wavy-patterned PDMS are feasible for stretchable electrodes
Cross-links on the surface region of the PDMS substrate are significantly affected by UV ozone (UVO) irradiation time
Summary
Ag wrinkled electrodes on the oxygen plasma and Sodium Dodecyl treated PDMS substrates as a metal electrode for wearable wireless sensor[27]. Wrinkled or wavy-patterning methods for PDMS substrates have been previously reported, there have been no reports on the electrical, optical, and mechanical properties of very thin Ag films coated on wavy-patterned PDMS substrates as stretchable and semi-transparent electrodes for stretchable and transparent interconnectors or stretchable and transparent thin film heaters. We reports on the characteristics of thin Ag films coated on wavy-patterned PDMS substrates to use as stretchable electrodes. We compared the mechanical properties of thin Ag electrodes sputtered on flat PDMS and wavy-patterned PDMS substrates, and we suggest that thin Ag films on wavy-patterned PDMS are feasible for stretchable electrodes. For a precise pattern of the semi-transparent Ag interconnectors, the wavelength and amplitude of the wavy-pattern of PDMS substrate were controlled by the extent of pre-strain and UV-ozone treatment time. We demonstrated the outstanding stretchability of semi-transparent Ag films in two applications: stretchable and semi-transparent interconnectors and semi-transparent electrodes for stretchable and transparent thin film heaters
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