Highly conductive, flexible and stretchable conductors based on fractal silver nanostructures

Nature Nanotechnology, 2012

Crystals

A number of different research methodologies have been developed to increase the conductivity and mechanical properties of stretchable or flexible conductors. One of the promising techniques recommended for applying metallic nanoparticles (NPs) to PDMS (polydimethylsiloxane) substrate is to develop a thin-film that gives possible conductivity and good mechanical strain. This article discusses the preparation of silver nanoparticles using the chemical reduction method with silver nitrate as the precursor, and uses glucose as a reducing agent. In addition, polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) is used to prevent the nanoparticles’ oxidation and agglomeration once they have been synthesized successfully. Moreover, we utilize the power of diethylamine to accelerate the evolution of nanoparticles, and deionized water is used to prevent any possible contamination. The prepared Ag-NPs are then deposited on the solidified PDMS substrate through sintering. A multimeter is used to measure the electrica...

High-performance, biaxially stretchable conductor based on Ag composites and hierarchical auxetic structure A hierarchical-patterned stretchable conductor with multidirectional stretchability and stable conductivity under high stretching is developed by incorporating silver (Ag) flakes into a poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) matrix. Highly conductive composite films with an optimal structure exhibit both superior conductivity (7600 S cm-1) and stable electrical resistance (R/R 0 < 0.2) up to 50% biaxial strain.

Materials &amp; Design, 2018

IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, 2021

In this paper, thin and flexible PLA plates were prepared through FDM printing process. The traditional FDM process was adopted at predetermined optimal printing parameters of the 3D printer. The CAD designs of the samples were built on SpaceClaim modeler (ANSYS® 2019). The slicing and generation of the toolpath (gcodes) were undertaken in Cura software whereas the printing undertaken using a Desktop 3D printer (WANHAO Duplicator D10). The flexible PLA samples were designed for conductivity in smart devices; as such, they were coated with microfilms of highly conductive silver paint through a dipping method. The dipping was carefully undertaken in which the samples could soak inside the paint for 40 seconds and then removed and allowed to dry in vacuum desiccators for 12 hours. The samples were then heat treated at varying times (0, 10 and 20 minutes) in an oven at a constant temperature of 100°. The samples were then profiled using atomic force microscopy to obtain the microroughne...

Scientific Reports, 2014

ACS Nano, 2015

Silver nanowires (AgNWs) thin films have emerged as promising next-generation transparent conductive electrodes (TCEs), and increasing the opto-electrical properties and long-term stability of AgNWs based TCEs is now a major research focus. In this work, a smooth, flexible, electrically conductive and highly stable transparent AgNWs-silica nanoparticles composite TCE has been successfully manufactured via coating an aqueous AgNWs-silica sol composite conductive ink on a PET substrate through the Mayer rod method. The effects of particle size and concentration of silica sol on the smoothness, opto-electrical properties and stability of AgNWs based TCEs were investigated in detail, and the mechanisms of the decoration of AgNWs by silica sol nanoparticles and welding of the network junction are discussed briefly. The TCE based on AgNWs reinforced with 50 nm silica nanoparticles (80 ppm concentration of silica sol) possesses a smooth surface with an RMS value of 9.45 nm, and superior opto-electrical properties with a sheet resistance of 28 U sq À1 and a transmittance of 97%. The resistance of the resultant AgNWs-silica composite TCE remains nearly constant after bending for 1000 cycles or exposure to Na 2 S solution for 300 s, indicating high stability. The newly designed AgNWs-silica composite TCE is a promising flexible and transparent electrode to be applied in next-generation flexible electronic devices.

Materials, 2018

Several research methodologies have recently been developed to allow for the patterning of conductive lines on elastomeric rubber substrates. Specifically, various conductive materials, substrates, and fabrication techniques were investigated to develop stretchable circuits. One promising technique recommends the application of axial strain on an elastomer substrate prior to patterning conductive lines on it. When the substrate is released, conductive lines buckle to form waves, making the circuit stretchable. However, the majority of applications of stretchable circuits require fitting them to two-dimensional surfaces, such as the human body. Hence, in this paper we propose the concept of radial pre-stretching of the substrates to enhance the stretchability of the fabricated circuits. In particular, straight silver conductive lines were deposited on a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) surface using inkjet printing technology, and subsequently tested under both axial and radial loads. Rad...

Materials Today: Proceedings, 2018

In the present study, we demonstrate a solution-phase synthesis of silver nanowires (AgNWs) using poly vinyl pyrrolidone (PVP). NaCl was added as a precursor to the reaction for controlling the free Ag+ ions concentration during the formation of initial Ag seeds. By controlling the experimental conditions, the Ag nanostructures can be transformed from nanoparticles to nanowires. Field emission scanning electron microscopy results show that AgNWs of diameter ∼50−80 nm and length ∼5−30 μm can be achieved. UV−Visible absorption spectroscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy results indicate the formation of Ag nanowires in highly pure phase. In addition, thin film of AgNWs has been fabricated on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrate to form a flexible transparent electrode. The optical and electrical studies on AgNWs coated PET substrate show the formation of transparent and electrically continuous network of AgNWs with a resistance of ∼60 Ω/sq. and maximum total transmittance (T...