The Application of High-Performance Silver Nanowire and Metal Oxide Composite Electrodes as Window Electrodes in Electroluminescent Devices

TL;DR

This paper explores using silver nanowire and metal oxide composites as efficient transparent electrodes in electroluminescent devices.

Contribution

A novel composite structure using silver nanowires and metal oxides improves electrode performance and device efficiency.

Findings

The composite structure achieved a sheet resistance of 8.7 ohm/sq with 92.20% optical transmittance.

AgNW-based electrodes enhanced ZnO emission intensity 17-fold compared to conventional ITO electrodes.

The composite structure reduced photon reflection and broadened light emission angles in devices.

Abstract

In this paper, composite structures were fabricated by incorporating silver nanowires (AgNWs) with various metal oxides via the sol–gel method. This approach enhanced the electrical performance of AgNW-based transparent electrodes while simultaneously improving their stability under damp heat conditions and modifying the local medium environment surrounding the AgNW meshes. The randomly distributed AgNW meshes fabricated via drop-coating were treated with plasma to remove surface organic residues and reduce the inter-nanowire contact resistance. Subsequently, a zinc oxide (ZnO) coating was applied to further decrease the sheet resistance (Rsheet) value. The pristine AgNW mesh exhibits an Rsheet of 17.4 ohm/sq and an optical transmittance of 93.06% at a wavelength of 550 nm. After treatment, the composite structure achieves a reduced Rsheet of 8.7 ohm/sq while maintaining a high optical transmittance of 92.20%. The use of AgNW meshes as window electrodes enhances electron injection efficiency and facilitates the coupling mechanism between localized surface plasmon resonances and excitons. Compared with conventional ITO transparent electrodes, the incorporation of the AgNW mesh leads to a 17-fold enhancement in ZnO emission intensity under identical injection current conditions. Moreover, the unique scattering characteristics of the AgNW and metal oxide composite structure effectively reduce photon reflection at the device interface, thereby broadening the angular distribution of emitted light in electroluminescent devices.

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