Conductivity, Transparency and Bending Durability of Flexible Electrode of Gravure Offset Printed Invisible Silver-Grid Laminated with Conductive Polymer

Abstract

Invisible Ag-grid transparent electrodes with a variety of spacing between the Ag-grid lines of 100, 150, 200, 300, 500 and 1000 μm at a constant line width of the Ag-grid of 5 μm and a constant thickness of the Ag-grid of 0.6 μm have been prepared by a conventional gravure offset printing using our newly developed Ag nanoparticle ink. Moreover, the Ag-grid electrodes have been laminated with a poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene): poly (styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT : PSS) layer. In the Ag-grid laminated with PEDOT : PSS electrodes, the transmittance is up to 96% in the visible light region and the sheet resistance is down to 4Ω/□. The repeated bending cycle tests of the transparent electrodes have been carried out. The results show that laminating with PEDOT : PSS enhance the bending durability of the transparent electrodes. The Ag-grid laminated with PEDOT : PSS electrodes would have potential applications as flexible and transparent conductive films in optoelectronics and photovoltaics.