High-performance PEDOT: PSS/Cu mesh flexible transparent conductors with enhanced durability, adhesion and stability

Random Cu meshes are a promising candidate to replace indium tin oxide as flexible transparent conductors (FTCs). However, the poor stability hinders the application of Cu meshes FTCs. Developing feasible random Cu meshes with good mechanical durability, strong adhesion and high stability is still a great challenge. In this paper, high-performance FTCs composed of Cu meshes/Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)/poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT: PSS) on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrate with synchronously improved flexibility, adhesion and stability, is prepared without deterioration of optical-electric performance. The sheet resistance of Cu meshes is 1.53 Ω/□ and the transmittance is 83.22%. After coating PEDOT: PSS, the sheet resistance is 1.47 Ω/□, and the transmittance is decreased to 81.11%, which shows that the covering of PEDOT: PSS enables the preservation of high transparency and conductivity of Cu meshes. Moreover, the sheet resistance does not show great change after taping and bending tests, indicating the strong adhesion and good mechanical flexibility of PEDOT: PSS/Cu mesh FTCs. In addition, the PEDOT: PSS/Cu mesh FTCs shows a good stability to resist long-term storage, ultrasonication, high temperature and strong oxidizing environments.