Successive High-Output Synthesis of Cu Nanowire Ink for 3D Sonication Printing of Large-Size Transparent Flexible Touch Screen Sheet.

Abstract

Flexible transparent conductive film is essential in modern optoelectronic applications. However, how to obtain high-output and high-quality transparent conductive electrode (TCE) materials at low cost still remains challenging. This study demonstrates a successive synthesis system based on cyclic repeated-batch operation to achieve low-cost, high-output production of high-quality Cu nanowires (NWs), with an optional Ni-shell coating step incorporated into the workflow for oxidation protection. The combination of precursor supplying controller and product collector enables the cyclic synthesis of Cu/Cu@Ni NWs. A 3D sonication printer is designed for non-contact and uniform printing of a conductive film on arbitrary target substrates. The fabricated flexible Cu NW TCEs exhibit excellent optoelectronic performance (34.46 Ω sq-1 @ 85.92% transmittance at 550 nm, with a haze of 1.40%), outstanding large-area uniformity (20 × 20 cm2) and good mechanical stability, while Ni-shell coating effectively enhances the oxidation resistance of the Cu NWs. Flexible transparent touch screens based on Cu NW TCEs are further demonstrated with resistive and self-capacitive sensing structures. Complex motion control and pen writing can be achieved fluently in both flat and curved states. This work shows great potential in future touch displays, for example, the new-generation smartphones with transparent, rollable, and extendable touch screens.

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