Hybrid additive manufacturing of ultra-fine high-resolution shell–core structured conductive mesh-based flexible transparent electrodes for flexible displays

Metal mesh transparent electrodes present a promising alternative to Indium-Tin Oxide (ITO) due to their adjustable period and favourable trade-off between transmittance and conductivity. In this work, a template-free, non-high temperature hybrid additive manufacturing approach of the polyacrylonitr...

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Main Authors: Junyi Zhou, Houchao Zhang, Rui Wang, Zhenghao Li, Hongke Li, Peikai Duan, Shuai Shang, Youchao Zhang, Zelin Wang, Wensong Ge, Hongbo Lan, Xiaoyang Zhu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2023-12-01
Series:Virtual and Physical Prototyping
Subjects:
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17452759.2023.2268602
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author Junyi Zhou
Houchao Zhang
Rui Wang
Zhenghao Li
Hongke Li
Peikai Duan
Shuai Shang
Youchao Zhang
Zelin Wang
Wensong Ge
Hongbo Lan
Xiaoyang Zhu
author_facet Junyi Zhou
Houchao Zhang
Rui Wang
Zhenghao Li
Hongke Li
Peikai Duan
Shuai Shang
Youchao Zhang
Zelin Wang
Wensong Ge
Hongbo Lan
Xiaoyang Zhu
author_sort Junyi Zhou
collection DOAJ
description Metal mesh transparent electrodes present a promising alternative to Indium-Tin Oxide (ITO) due to their adjustable period and favourable trade-off between transmittance and conductivity. In this work, a template-free, non-high temperature hybrid additive manufacturing approach of the polyacrylonitrile (PAN)/Cu core–shell structure high-resolution metal mesh flexible transparent electrode (FTE) is proposed. The electric field-driven (EFD) 3D printing method was employed to print ultra-fine lines with widths as low as 1 μm. The composite-plating process combining electroless plating and electroplating has solved the structural defects of single deposition process. The prepared FTE has an excellent conductivity down to 1 Ω/sq and 89% light transmission (at 550 nm). Its exceptional mechanical properties and environmental stability make it suitable for diverse working environments. Even after undergoing 2000 bends at a radius of 3 mm, the resistance change rate remains as low as 1.4%. The resistance exhibits an approximately 8% change rate in the acid–base environment experiments conducted over 72 h. The flexible touch screen prepared with this FTE exhibits excellent writing performance in both flat and curved working scenarios. Furthermore, the significant potential of this FTE in the field of optoelectronics is effectively demonstrated through its exceptional luminescent performance in electroluminescent devices.
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spelling doaj.art-b4e1df7aed454d569c28a21dbbe3953b2023-11-02T14:47:05ZengTaylor & Francis GroupVirtual and Physical Prototyping1745-27591745-27672023-12-0118110.1080/17452759.2023.22686022268602Hybrid additive manufacturing of ultra-fine high-resolution shell–core structured conductive mesh-based flexible transparent electrodes for flexible displaysJunyi Zhou0Houchao Zhang1Rui Wang2Zhenghao Li3Hongke Li4Peikai Duan5Shuai Shang6Youchao Zhang7Zelin Wang8Wensong Ge9Hongbo Lan10Xiaoyang Zhu11Qingdao University of TechnologyQingdao University of TechnologyQingdao University of TechnologyQingdao University of TechnologyQingdao University of TechnologyQingdao University of TechnologyQingdao University of TechnologyQingdao University of TechnologyQingdao University of TechnologyQingdao University of TechnologyQingdao University of TechnologyQingdao University of TechnologyMetal mesh transparent electrodes present a promising alternative to Indium-Tin Oxide (ITO) due to their adjustable period and favourable trade-off between transmittance and conductivity. In this work, a template-free, non-high temperature hybrid additive manufacturing approach of the polyacrylonitrile (PAN)/Cu core–shell structure high-resolution metal mesh flexible transparent electrode (FTE) is proposed. The electric field-driven (EFD) 3D printing method was employed to print ultra-fine lines with widths as low as 1 μm. The composite-plating process combining electroless plating and electroplating has solved the structural defects of single deposition process. The prepared FTE has an excellent conductivity down to 1 Ω/sq and 89% light transmission (at 550 nm). Its exceptional mechanical properties and environmental stability make it suitable for diverse working environments. Even after undergoing 2000 bends at a radius of 3 mm, the resistance change rate remains as low as 1.4%. The resistance exhibits an approximately 8% change rate in the acid–base environment experiments conducted over 72 h. The flexible touch screen prepared with this FTE exhibits excellent writing performance in both flat and curved working scenarios. Furthermore, the significant potential of this FTE in the field of optoelectronics is effectively demonstrated through its exceptional luminescent performance in electroluminescent devices.http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17452759.2023.2268602flexible transparent electrodecomposite metal meshmicroscale 3d printingoptical transmittanceadditive manufacturing
spellingShingle Junyi Zhou
Houchao Zhang
Rui Wang
Zhenghao Li
Hongke Li
Peikai Duan
Shuai Shang
Youchao Zhang
Zelin Wang
Wensong Ge
Hongbo Lan
Xiaoyang Zhu
Hybrid additive manufacturing of ultra-fine high-resolution shell–core structured conductive mesh-based flexible transparent electrodes for flexible displays
Virtual and Physical Prototyping
flexible transparent electrode
composite metal mesh
microscale 3d printing
optical transmittance
additive manufacturing
title Hybrid additive manufacturing of ultra-fine high-resolution shell–core structured conductive mesh-based flexible transparent electrodes for flexible displays
title_full Hybrid additive manufacturing of ultra-fine high-resolution shell–core structured conductive mesh-based flexible transparent electrodes for flexible displays
title_fullStr Hybrid additive manufacturing of ultra-fine high-resolution shell–core structured conductive mesh-based flexible transparent electrodes for flexible displays
title_full_unstemmed Hybrid additive manufacturing of ultra-fine high-resolution shell–core structured conductive mesh-based flexible transparent electrodes for flexible displays
title_short Hybrid additive manufacturing of ultra-fine high-resolution shell–core structured conductive mesh-based flexible transparent electrodes for flexible displays
title_sort hybrid additive manufacturing of ultra fine high resolution shell core structured conductive mesh based flexible transparent electrodes for flexible displays
topic flexible transparent electrode
composite metal mesh
microscale 3d printing
optical transmittance
additive manufacturing
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17452759.2023.2268602
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