Tri-system integration in metal-oxide nanocomposites via in-situ solution-processed method for ultrathin flexible transparent electrodes
J. Kim, Shuji Kojima, Jiawei Zheng, Xinjun He, Sajjad Ahmad, Hong Zhang, Haibin Su, Wallace C. H. Choy
Abstract
Abstract For stable operation of ultrathin flexible transparent electrodes (uFTEs), it is critical to implement effective risk management during concurrent multi-loading operation of electrical bias and mechanical folding cycles in high-humidity environments. Despite extensive efforts in preparing solution-processed uFTEs with cost-effective and high-throughput means, achieving in-situ nano-adhesion in heterogeneous metal-oxide nanocomposites remains challenging. In this work, we observed by serendipity liquid-like behaviour of transparent metal-oxide-semiconductor zinc oxide nanoparticles ( ZnO NPs) onto silver nanowires ( Ag NWs) developed by in-situ solution processed method (iSPM). This enabled us to address the long-standing issue of vulnerability in the nanocomposite caused by the interface of dissimilar materials between Ag NWs and ZnO NPs, resulting in a remarkably improved multi-loading operation. Importantly, substrate-integrated uFTEs constituted of the metal-oxide nanocomposite electrode semi-embedded in the polymer matrix of greatly thin <0.5 μm thickness is successfully demonstrated with the smooth surface topography, promoted by the tri-system integration including (i) Ag NW- Ag NW, (ii) ZnO NP- ZnO NP, and (iii) Ag NW- ZnO NP systems. Our finding unveils the complex interfacial dynamics associated with the heterogeneous interface system between Ag NWs and ZnO NPs and holds great promise in understanding the in-situ nano-adhesion process and increasing the design flexibility of next generation solution-processed uFTEs.