Development of nanostructured electrode with improved performance and mechanical stability for flexible electronic devices

Abstract

This dissertation is a study on the metal nanonetwork electrodes with high electrical conductivity, optical transmittance and mechanical stability. The empty space between nanonetworks increase the optical transmittance even though metal has inherent low transmittance. The nanonetwork structure restrict the crack generation and arrest propagation in poly-crystalline structure during mechanical deformation. Also the crack generation and propagation mechanism analysis suggest the design rules for superior mechanical stability of metal nanonetworks. The devices results using metal nanonetwork electrodes demonstrated that it is possible to apply to flexible devices with stable device performance even after mechanical deformation.