The effect of ultraviolet radiation on silver nanowire transparent electrode based on flexible polymeric film substrate

The transparent electrode based on silver nanowire (AgNW) networks has emerged as an outstanding alternative of the electrode based on indium tin oxide (ITO) film in particular for flexible electronics. The polymeric films are popularly applied as flexible substrates and thus the electrode employing AgNWs and polymeric film is potential to be widely used in our daily life. However, the applications of transparent electrode nowadays are greatly limited by the unsatisfied long-term stability, which is accelerated by the ultraviolet (UV) radiation due to the inevitable light exposure. In this study, the effect of ultraviolet radiation on AgNW electrode fabricated on flexible polymeric film is comprehensively investigated. With long-term ultraviolet radiation, the change of sheet resistance (Rs) began with a small rise, followed by the sharp decrease and then the gradual increase. The morphology of AgNWs exposed to UV radiation was analyzed accordingly. Meantime, the degradation of polymeric film was also observed. The deformation of film surface was influenced by the shape of AgNW networks, and the increased roughness undermined the transmittance of whole electrode.