Solution-processed transparent conducting electrodes with graphene, silver nanowires and PEDOT:PSS as alternative to ITO

Abstract

Abstract Novel transparent electrodes, including graphene, silver nanowires (AgNWs) and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrenesulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) serving as the low-cost and flexible alternative to indium tin oxide (ITO) are of interest to the organic electronic industry in recent years. In this paper, transparent, flexible and conductive nanocomposite electrodes were fabricated by using different combinations of graphene, AgNWs, PEDOT:PSS materials via spin coating technique. Optical, morphological and electrical properties of solution-processed electrodes were characterized. Transparent conductive electrode (TCE) based on PEDOT:PSS/AgNW/graphene construction exhibited 216.67 Ω/sq sheet resistance with ~ 83% transparency. Additionally, after 100 cycles of bending, the sheet resistance of PEDOT:PSS/AgNW/graphene electrode on the flexible polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrate was found to be about 223 Ω/sq, while conventional ITO-coated PET substrate exhibited 83,050 Ω/sq resistance, which was about 400 times more than that of resistance before bending. Optical and electrical measurements showed that obtained nanocomposite electrodes may be promising alternatives to ITO to be used in flexible optoelectronic devices.