High-performance AZO transparent electrodes with enhanced mechanical flexibility and conductivity through imbedding of Ag NWs

The mechanical flexibility and conductivity of Al-doped ZnO thin films on flexible substrates are improved effectively via imbedding of silver nanowires (Ag NWs). The corresponding optical and electrical properties (before imbedding Ag NWs: 47.9 Ω/sq. at 85.1%, after imbedding Ag NWs: 14.7 Ω/sq. at 84.9%) indicate that the imbedding of Ag NW enables the preservation of high transparency and improvement of conductivity of AZO thin films. The resistance of AZO-Ag NW composites remains nearly constant after 2000 bending cycles at curvature radius of 8.0 mm, while the resistance of AZO thin films is increased significantly, which indicates the mechanical flexibility is enhanced by the Ag NWs. In addition, the resistance of the AZO-Ag NW composites is almost unchanged after experiencing strong oxidation and high corrosion tests. These results indicate that embedding of Ag NWs is a promising solution to solve critical problems of high resistance and brittle AZO thin films.