Highly stable silver nanowire-based transparent conductive electrodes for electrochromic devices

Silver nanowire (AgNW)-based transparent conductive electrode (AgNW/PET) is one of the critical components in flexible optoelectronic devices. However, prolonged usage of AgNW/PETs is restrained due to their inadequate environmental stabilities. In this study, we employed a novel approach to improve the stability and conductivity of AgNWs by applying benzotriazole (BTA) and cesium-incorporated titanium dioxide (TiO2:Cs) particles onto AgNW/PET (AgNW/BTA /TiO2:Cs/PET), which formed an inhibitive complex Ag(I)–BTA and welding of nanowires through local melting at the junctions. It unveiled exemplary optoelectrical properties with a sheet resistance of 24.8 Ω/sq and transmittance of 92.9 %. Furthermore, AgNW/BTA/TiO2:Cs/PET exhibited stable electrical performances compared to the reference sample under different environmental conditions, such as in a hot-humid environment, under exposures to different lights and acidic medium. In addition, electrochromic devices fabricated using AgNW/BTA/TiO2:Cs/PET demonstrated stable electrochromic performance over 1000 cycles. Altogether the results of this study confirm that the addition of BTA and TiO2:Cs could serve as an efficient route to improve the stability and conductivity of AgNW films.