High‐Performance, Micrometer Thick/Conformal, Transparent Metal‐Network Electrodes for Flexible and Curved Electronic Devices. Issue 8 (1st July 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Liu, Jianpeng; Xiao, Lin; Rao, Zhefan; Dong, Biyang; Yin, Zhouping; Huang, YongAn
• Is Part Of: Advanced materials technologies. Volume 3:Issue 8(2018)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2018-07-01
• Subjects: electrohydrodynamic lithography -- flexible electronics -- metal network -- transparent electrodes; Materials science -- Periodicals; Technological innovations -- Periodicals; Materials science; Technological innovations; Periodicals; 620.1105
• DOI: 10.1002/admt.201800155
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2365-709X

Abstract

Abstract: Metal‐network electrodes (MNEs) are excellent substitutes to the brittle and expensive indium tin oxide (ITO) films for flexible and transparent electronic devices. For a high transmittance and low resistivity, highly ordered metal wire arrays with suitable gap and width are essential. Here, high‐orderly and dimension‐controllable ultrathin/conformal MNEs are fabricated on µm thick/curved substrate via programmable electrohydrodynamic (EHD) lithography. By employing EHD direct‐writing, large‐scale high‐resolution photoresist micro/nano‐pattern can be digitally printed on ultrathin/curved substrates, as the digital mask in chemical etching process. The Au MNEs show transmittance of 94.3% (at 600 nm optical wavelength) and sheet resistance of 36.7 Ω□ −1 with the optimum pattern which can be adjusted by theoretical analysis. MNEs fabricated on ultrathin polymeric substrate (≈1.5 µm thickness) can even be hanged on a hair. A flexible and transparent touch panel with MNEs exhibits excellent mechanical durability on a small‐bending radius. Additionally, the MNEs are mounted on a fingertip as a "fingertip mouse", which is perfectly conformal with fingerprints and can successfully control the computer directly by two fingers. Not limited to planar devices, the MNEs also can be perfectly fabricated on a nonplanar glass and form a transparent conformal heater. Abstract : High‐performance µm thick/conformal, transparent metal‐network electrodes (MNEs) based on electrohydrodynamic lithography method are developed. The fabricated MNEs (minimum width to 0.83 µm) exhibit outstanding electrical (conductivity), optical (transmittance), and mechanical properties (bendability). These MNEs are applied in a flexible touch panel, a fingertip mouse, and a convex heater, which indicates the MNEs are promising flexible and transparent conductors in flexible electronics.