Atmospherically Stable Silver Nanowire/Hydroxyethyl Cellulose Films and their Application in Flexible Transparent Touch Screen

Abstract:

Silver nanowires (AgNWs) has been extensively studied to replace indium tin oxide as a suitable material for transparent conducting films (TCEs) The networks of nanowires however are prone to degradation due to corrosion when exposed to ambient conditions. In this study, high aspect ratio AgNWs were synthesized with an improved polyol method by varying the reaction temperatures in the nucleation and growth stage. Solutions of AgNWs were deposited on polymer substrates and were exposed to ambient laboratory conditions for several days and the effect on the stability and overall performance of the AgNW films was investigated. Morphological and elemental analysis of the exposed films was done using SEM and EDX, respectively. Hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC) was introduced as a polymeric binder and protective agent in order to prevent the exposure of the AgNW surface to corrosive agents in air. A TCE with a sheet resistance of 47.50 Ω/sq and transmittance of 89.70% at 550 nm without any harsh post-treatments, was demonstrated. These electrodes were used to fabricate a transparent flexible touch screen.

• Periodical: Key Engineering Materials (Volume 821)
• Pages: 401-406
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/KEM.821.401
• Online since: September 2019
• Authors: Nathaniel De Guzman*, Mary Donnabelle L. Balela
• Keywords: Atmospheric Gases, Corrosion, Silver Nanowires, Silver Sulfide, Transparent Conducting Electrodes

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