Ag nanotrough embedded in colorless polyimide film for high performance and flexible transparent electrode

Abstract

We herein report an Ag nanotrough embedded in colorless polyimide film (AgNT embedded in CPI) for high performance and flexible transparent electrode via fusion of core template and substrate. Using an electrospun polyamicacid (PAA: a precursor of colorless polyimide) nanofiber web as a core template and RF-sputtered Ag as a shell conductor, core-shell structured Ag nanotrough is formed. Soon after, the core-shell structured Ag nanotrough including PAA core template is directly transferred to PAA layer casted on the glass substrate and immediately fused with the PAA layer. Simultaneously, Ag shell conductor is embedded in PAA layer by its self-weight. Finally, AgNT embedded in CPI is achieved after heat treatment for imidizaiton. AgNT embedded in CPI has outstanding optoelectronic performance (Sheet resistance of 1.33 Ω $sq^{-1}$ at 88 % transmittance) and flexibility. Also, it exhibits extremely strong adhesion to the substrate as well as smooth surface topography ($R_{rms}$ = 10.7 nm, $R_{pv}$ = 23.520 nm)