Silver Nanowire Electrode Patterning With Low Visibility Haze
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Solution Overview
Problem
Indium tin oxide (ITO) is fragile and costly, making it unsuitable for flexible displays and solar cells, and existing transparent conductive films using silver nanowires suffer from visibility impairment due to differences in transmittance and haze after patterning.
Innovation Solution
A nanostructure with a conductive region and a nonconductive region, where the nonconductive region has nanowires with an average diameter smaller than the conductive nanowires by 5% or less, formed by partial etching using an etching solution like sodium hypochlorite, maintaining insulating properties and reducing visibility impairment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ITO is used to form transparent electrodes, then electrical conductivity and transparency are achieved, but the material is fragile and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive ITO with silver nanowires that can be processed at lower costs. The nanowire network is designed to be replaceable and reconfigurable, using abundant materials instead of rare ITO, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and arrangement of conductive materials from rigid ITO films to flexible nanowire networks. By controlling nanowire diameter, length, and packing density, the material achieves both flexibility and conductivity, resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of manufacture
2Ease of manufacture
If silver nanowires are used to form transparent conductive films, then flexibility and cost are improved, but visibility impairment occurs due to differences in transmittance and haze after patterning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different nanowire configurations to different regions of the transparent electrode. Conductive regions use denser nanowire packing for electrical connectivity, while non-conductive regions use sparser packing to maintain high transparency. This local differentiation resolves the visibility impairment caused by uniform patterning
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of completely removing nanowires in non-conductive regions, the patent uses partial etching to reduce nanowire density to a level that maintains both electrical insulation and optical transparency. This partial action avoids the visibility problems associated with complete removal while achieving the desired electrical properties
3Reliability
If nanowires are etched to create nonconductive regions, then insulating properties are achieved, but the nanowire diameter changes causing visibility impairment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-coats nanowires with a protective polymer layer before etching. This preliminary protective action prevents excessive diameter reduction during the etching process, maintaining nanowire dimensions and ensuring uniform transmittance across the transparent electrode while still achieving the required insulating properties
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 nanostructure improves reliability by maintaining insulating properties over time and reducing visibility impairment, eliminating the need for additional light diffusion layers and enhancing wiring reliability.
Implementation Method 1
etching with alkali metal hypochlorite under weak acidic or alkaline conditions
Data Source
AI summary
Example embodiments relate to a nanostructure including a conductive region and a nonconductive region, wherein the conductive region includes at least one first nanowire, and the nonconductive region includes at least one second nanowire that is at least partially sectioned, a method of preparing the nanostructure, and a panel unit including the nanostructure.