Flexible transparent conductive films on PET substrates with an AZO/AgNW/AZO sandwich structure

Hybrid transparent conductive films (TCFs) with a sandwich structure composed of aluminum-doped zinc oxide (AZO) and Ag nanowires (AgNWs) were deposited on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrates. The AZO layers were prepared at room temperature by RF magnetron sputtering. The AgNWs were synthesized by a modified polyol method and inserted into the AZO layers. The optical properties and conductivity can be modified by the number of spin-coating cycles of an AgNWs suspension. Typically, an AZO/AgNW/AZO hybrid film exhibited an optical transmittance of 80.5%, a sheet resistance of 27.6 Ω sq−1 and an optical haze of 14.9%. The increase in optical haze caused by the silver nanowires may be beneficial for applications in solar cells. The hybrid films presented excellent flexible stability, showing only minor resistance changes and no surface cracks compared with pure AZO films. The AZO layers acted as the protecting layers that enhanced the adhesive and thermal stability of the hybrid films. The resulting hybrid TCFs with an AZO/AgNW/AZO sandwich structure show potential applications in flexible electronics, energy storage and photovoltaic devices.