Transparent flexible heater based on hybrid of carbon nanotubes and silver nanowires

Transparent film heaters have attracted increasing attention due to their usefulness in a wide range of applications, such as outdoor panel displays, avionic displays, and periscope and vehicle window defrosters. So far, transparent films made of only one kind of conductive nanomaterial have been tried in the fabrication of transparent film heaters. However, since each nanomaterial has its own advantages and disadvantages, satisfying various requirements from industry has so far been almost impossible. Here, we present a high-performance transparent film heater based on a hybrid of carbon nanotubes and silver nanowires. The new hybrid film shows a marked advance in haze reduction and an improvement in the flexibility of the silver nanowire film while maintaining excellent electrical conductivity. We demonstrate sufficient temperature rise even at low voltages and long-term stability of the new film heater. The present work sheds light on the feasibility of a more advanced film heater that will satisfy growing demands for better optoelectrical properties with excellent mechanical flexibility.