Effect of supersonic spraying impact velocity on opto-electric properties of transparent conducting flexible films consisting of silver nanowire, ITO, and polyimide multilayers

We demonstrate the use of supersonic spraying for the deposition of silver nanowires (AgNWs) on a flexible polyimide (PI) substrate for the formation of transparent and conducting films (TCF) as an alternative to nonflexible ITO (indium tin oxide). The self-fused intersections of the NWs resulted in films with a low sheet resistance (Rs = 31 Ω/sq) and fairly high transmittance (Tr = 92%) on a glass substrate. The effect of the impact speed of the supersonically sprayed AgNWs on the opto-electric properties of the flexible TCF was evaluated by varying the spray coating conditions. The fabricated films were characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis, atomic force microscopy, ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. Finally, cyclic bending tests were performed on the PI/AgNW films as well as PI/ZnO/indium tin oxide/AgNW films, and the changes in their electrical properties with bending were compared.