The new processes for printed electronics applications (e.g. RFID chips or OLED displays) promise a wide range of applications, as well as cost-effective and mass-market production. Ink with conductive materials is mainly used for the electronic printing process. Silver nanowires in particular are the preferred choice of manufacturers. They are particularly conductive and intrinsically flexible and stretchable electrodes.
Cost reduction for nanowire materials through copper
If the electrode material were to be converted to the much cheaper and abundant copper instead of silver, a further reduction in the cost of these nanowire materials would be conceivable. However, there is a catch: Electrical conductors made of copper nanowire are almost as conductive as silver, but less stable in terms of conductivity.
However, Chinese researchers at Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics have now presented a conductive copper nanowire elastomer composite that is equipped with ultra-high performance stability against oxidation, bending, stretching and twisting. This presented material would represent a promising electrode alternative for flexible and stretchable optoelectronics.
Good performance characteristics
The performance characteristics of this nanowire-elastomer composite are 80% transparency with a low resistance of 62.4 ohms / sq and is therefore even better than commercially used, flexible ITO / PET electrodes. In addition, the researchers estimate that the actual lifespan of their Cu@Cu4Ni nanowire electrodes is more than 1,200 days.
The full research report was published under the title "Superstable Transparent Conductive Cu@Cu4Ni Nanowire Elastomer Composites against Oxidation, Bending, Stretching, and Twisting for Flexible and Stretchable Optoelectronics" in early November 2014.
