Hierarchically Ordered Grid-Type Silver Nanowire Microelectrodes via Direct Ink Writing

Flexible transparent electrodes (FTEs) constructed from silver nanowires (AgNWs) have potential applications in a wide range of flexible optoelectronic devices. However, the uncontrollable alignment of AgNWs makes it challenging to manufacture high-performance and cost-effective AgNW-based FTEs. Herein, we present a direct-ink-writing technique for patterning AgNWs into high-resolution (line width as small as 33 μm), ultrathin (line height as small as 57 nm), and large-area (as large as 220 × 160 mm2) orthogonal grids in a single writing pass. The hierarchically ordered (HO) AgNW grids exhibit superior properties with a sheet resistance of 25.3 Ω/sq, a visible-light transmittance (T) of 98.6%, a high figure of merit of 1053, and a haze factor of 0.46% at an extremely low AgNW dosage of 2.1 μg/cm2. The wearable transparent heaters utilizing the printed HO AgNW grids exhibit excellent Joule heating performance. This work showcases a strategy for fabricating cost-effective AgNW-based FTEs that can be used to replace indium–tin oxide in large-scale applications.