Roll-to-Roll Production of Transparent Silver-Nanofiber-Network Electrodes for Flexible Electrochromic Smart Windows

Electrochromic smart windows (ECSWs) are considered as the most promising alternative to traditional dimming devices. However, the electrode technology in ECSWs remains stagnant, wherein inflexible indium tin oxide and fluorine-doped tin oxide are the main materials being used. Although various complicated production methods, such as high-temperature calcination and sputtering, have been reported, the mass production of flexible and transparent electrodes remains challenging. Here, a nonheated roll-to-roll process is developed for the continuous production of flexible, extralarge, and transparent silver nanofiber (AgNF) network electrodes. The optical and mechanical properties, as well as the electrical conductivity of these products (i.e., 12 Ω sq⁻¹ at 95% transmittance) are comparable with those AgNF networks produced via high-temperature sintering. Moreover, the as-prepared AgNF network is successfully assembled into an A4-sized ECSW with short switching time, good coloration efficiency, and flexibility.

Flexible and transparent electrodes are attracting increasing attention with important applications for various fields. However, the mass production of large-area electrodes has always been a challenge. A roll-to-roll process is proposed to assemble flexible, extralarge, and transparent Ag-nanofiber-network electrodes with good photoelectric properties (≈12 Ω sq⁻¹ at 95% transmittance) for new-generation flexible electronics such as electrochromic smart windows.

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