Stretchable and low-haze Ag-nanowire-network 2-D films embedded into a cross-linked polydimethylsiloxane elastomer

Abstract

We report the fabrication of stretchable transparent electrode films (STEF) using 15-nm-diameter Ag nanowires networks embedded into a cross-linked polydimethylsiloxane elastomer. 15-nm-diameter Ag NWs with a high aspect ratio (>1000) were synthesized through pressure-induced polyol synthesis in the presence of AgCl particles with KBr. These Ag NW network-based STEF exhibited considerably low haze values (<1.5%) with a transparency of 90% despite the low sheet resistance of 20 Ω/sq. The STEF exhibited an outstanding mechanical elasticity of up to 20% and no visible change occurred in the sheet resistance after 100 cycles at a stretching-release test of 20%.