Optoelectronics devices are experiencing rapid development nowadays with huge numbers of different commercial products in the market such as light emitting diodes (LEDs), liquid crystal displays (LCDs), flexible displays and solar cells. The next generation of optoelectronics devices will be primarily based on solution processable conductive/semiconductive materials which are produced in very large quantities, with a low manufacturing cost and flexible body. The fast developing nanotechnology is currently under intensive study and scientists and engineers are developing novel nanomaterials which are aimed at finding alternative materials for indium-doped tin oxide (ITO).

Silver nanowire is one of the most promising candidates due to its superior optoelectrical properties. Solut...[ Read more ]

Optoelectronics devices are experiencing rapid development nowadays with huge numbers of different commercial products in the market such as light emitting diodes (LEDs), liquid crystal displays (LCDs), flexible displays and solar cells. The next generation of optoelectronics devices will be primarily based on solution processable conductive/semiconductive materials which are produced in very large quantities, with a low manufacturing cost and flexible body. The fast developing nanotechnology is currently under intensive study and scientists and engineers are developing novel nanomaterials which are aimed at finding alternative materials for indium-doped tin oxide (ITO).

Silver nanowire is one of the most promising candidates due to its superior optoelectrical properties. Solution-processable AgNW has gained remarkably attention because it can be deposited easily on substrates by mean of simple coating method. Moreover, high-quantity production can be realized by adopting traditional roll-to-roll printing technologies such as gravure printing, flexo-printing and offset printing, which can further reduce the production costs.

In this thesis, a universal microstructuring approach was developed for patterning surfaces by micro-contact printing (μCP) in combination with selective surface dewetting. A functionalized surface facilitates selective depositing for solution processable conductive materials such as silver nanowire. Then silver nanowire (AgNW) was selectively coated on the hydrophilic regions of the substrate, while the hydrophobic regions remained uncoated. The approach allows for patterning of AgNW on substrates without using photolithography.

To demonstrate the effectiveness of AgNW as a transparent conductive electrode, or TCE, the electrical and optical performance of AgNW coated PET films were evaluated. The resulting transparent conductive electrode on PET substrate utilizing a micro-contact printing technique after post-treatment provides sheet resistance as low as 10Ω/sq, and optical transmittance of more than 80% which is comparable to commercialized ITO films.