Embedded Silver Nanowire Electrode for Stretchable Adhesion Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sensing electrodes in wearable electronic devices are prone to cracking or fracturing due to poor adhesion of silver nanowires on soft substrates with low surface tension, especially when subjected to stretching deformations, limiting their application as stretchable electrodes.
Innovation Solution
A stretchable composite electrode is developed with a polymer film having a Young's modulus between 1.25 MPa and 3 MPa, where a silver nanowire layer is partially embedded within the film, and a surface plasma treatment is used to enhance adhesion, allowing the electrode to withstand significant stretching without cracking or fracturing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If silver nanowires are coated on a soft substrate with low surface tension, then the substrate flexibility is maintained, but the adhesion between silver nanowires and substrate is poor causing cracking or fracturing during stretching
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies plasma treatment to the film surface before coating the silver nanowire layer. This preliminary action modifies the surface properties of the film to enhance adhesion between the silver nanowires and the substrate, preventing cracking or fracturing during stretching operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite structure where the silver nanowire layer is partially embedded in the film rather than simply coated on the surface. This composite approach combines the flexibility of the soft film with the high conductivity of silver nanowires, while the embedding provides mechanical interlocking that prevents delamination during stretching.
2Strength
If silver nanowire layer is formed on PDMS substrate surface, then adhesion is improved by plasma treatment, but the silver nanowire layer cannot be embedded in the film to prevent breaking or peeling during stretching
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies plasma treatment to the film surface before coating the silver nanowire layer. This preliminary action modifies the surface properties of the film to enhance adhesion between the silver nanowires and the substrate, preventing cracking or fracturing during stretching operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a two-layer structure (film with surface coating) to a three-dimensional structure where the silver nanowire layer is partially embedded within the film thickness. This dimensional change provides mechanical interlocking that prevents peeling and breaking during stretching, as the nanowires are anchored within the film matrix rather than merely adhering to the surface.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The embedded silver nanowire layer ensures stable electrical conductivity and resistance recovery, enabling the electrode to maintain performance even after large stretching deformations, making it suitable for wearable electronic devices.
Implementation Method 1
the experiment of the present disclosure proves that a surface treatment by plasma has a better improvement than a surface treatment by solvent
Implementation Method 2
Silver nanowires have the potential to replace existing materials as electrode materials in wearable electronic devices due to their high electrical conductivity
Implementation Method 3
the film is a polymer film with a Young's modulus between 1.25 MPa and 3 MPa
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure relates to a stretchable composite electrode and a fabricating method thereof, and particularly relates to a stretchable composite electrode including a silver nanowire layer and a flexible polymer film and a fabricating method thereof.