All-Solution-Processed Molybdenum Oxide-Encapsulated Silver Nanowire Flexible Transparent Conductors with Improved Conductivity and Adhesion

Abstract

A novel transparent conductive conductor composed of a silver nanowire (AgNW) network and MoO_<i>x</i> on a flexible polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrate, with contemporaneously improved adhesion and reduced resistivity, is prepared using the full-solution process without high-temperature annealing. Under the optimized conditions, a MoO_<i>x</i>/AgNW/MoO_<i>x</i> multilayer is achieved, which shows much superior optoelectronic performance to that obtained from ITO with a high optical transmittance of 89.2% and a low sheet resistance of ∼12.5 Ω/sq. Unlike pure AgNW films, the sheet resistance is little changed after the tape and ultrasonication tests, illustrating a very strong adhesion to the PET substrate after the encapsulation of MoO_<i>x</i>. Moreover, the multilayer film exhibits excellent stability to resist mechanical bending and acid damage. In addition, the successful implementation of the flexible transparent heater demonstrates the practical application value of the electrode.