Transparent Conductor Using Metal Nanowires and Conductive Polymer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transparent conductive films, such as ITO films, face issues with high resistance and low flexibility, which limit their application in flexible displays and touchscreens, and they often exhibit undesirable color characteristics like yellowish tint and high surface resistance.
Innovation Solution
A transparent conductor composed of a metal nanowire and conductive polymer film, with a b* value less than 1.78, incorporating silver, copper, or gold nanowires and a urethane-free conductive polymer like PEDOT-PSS, forming a conductive network with a heat curing agent and UV curable unsaturated compounds to achieve low surface resistance and flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If ITO films are used as transparent conductive films, then good economic feasibility and excellent transparency are achieved, but resistance increases and flexibility decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite structure combining metal nanowires (silver, copper, or gold) with a transparent polymer matrix. This composite approach allows the material to achieve both low electrical resistance through the conductive nanowire network and good transparency through the transparent polymer, while also providing flexibility that ITO lacks.
2Reliability
If ITO films are deposited on glass substrate, then transparent conductor is formed, but flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs thin film technology by depositing metal nanowires and transparent polymers to form a flexible transparent conductor layer. This thin film structure can be deposited on flexible substrates rather than rigid glass, enabling the conductor to bend and flex while maintaining transparency and electrical conductivity.
3Illumination intensity
If conventional transparent conductive films are used, then good transparency is achieved, but surface resistance deviation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a feedback mechanism where the transparent polymer matrix responds to the arrangement and distribution of metal nanowires, automatically optimizing the conductive network formation. This self-organizing system reduces surface resistance deviation by allowing the polymer to fill gaps and create uniform conductive pathways across the substrate.
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 solution provides a transparent conductor with improved conductivity, flexibility, and reduced surface resistance deviation, while preventing yellowish tint and maintaining high transmittance, suitable for applications in touchscreens and flexible displays.
Implementation Method 1
The composition may further include a UV curable unsaturated compound and a photopolymerization initiator
Data Source
AI summary
A transparent conductor, a composition for the same, and an apparatus including the same, the transparent conductor including a transparent conductive film, the transparent conductive film including a metal nanowire and a conductive polymer, wherein the transparent conductor has a b* value of less than about 1.78 in color coordinates of CIE Lab at wavelengths of 400 nm to 700 nm.