(3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane-modified silver nanowire network with strong adhesion to coating substrates for highly transparent electrodes

Abstract

In this study, adhesion improved silver nanowires (AgNWs) conducting film was produced via the meniscus dragging deposition method. In order to improve adhesion of AgNWs films, the AgNWs were surface-modified with (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES) and coated over the pristine AgNWs networked film. Based on this strategy, the positively charged amine groups of the APTES-AgNWs and the negatively charged hydroxyl groups of the substrates formed electrostatic bonds, improving the adhesion between the AgNWs and substrates without sacrificing conductiv-ity. AgNWs films on the rigid and flexible substrates were characterized using various analytical techniques. AgNWs networked film exhibited a sheet resistance of 6–22 Ω/sq at the transmittance at 550 nm, corresponding to 74–86% transmittance, confirming promising transparent electrodes. Adhesion of AgNWs film is confirmed based on a peel-off test and AgNWs film maintained a good conductivity even after several peel-off tests.