Oxidation-resistant self-adhesive flexible transparent electrodes based on Ag–Au core-shell nanowires and heterogeneous microarchitectures

Abstract

Flexible transparent electrodes (FTEs) are essential for advancing flexible electronics, energy systems, and biomedical devices. Conventional FTEs, which use silver nanowire coatings on flexible substrates, face limitations due to poor oxidation resistance and difficulties in forming reliable mechanical and electrical interconnections with other device components. In this study, we propose a versatile FTE design that integrates Ag–Au core-shell nanowires and self-adhesive microstructures into a regular grid pattern. This electrode exhibits robust self-adhesion, enabling precise mechanical and electrical contacts across various substrates without additional adhesives. The optical and electrical properties can be finely tuned by manipulating the microstructures and nanowire coatings. Notably, the electrode demonstrates remarkable oxidation resistance, even under exposure to oxidizing agents, elevated temperatures, and high-humidity environments. Our findings provide practical pathways for implementing FTEs in a wide range of emerging optoelectronic devices, leveraging their exceptional chemical and thermal stability. © 2024 Elsevier Ltd