Non-contact laser printing of ag nanowire-based electrode with photodegradable polymers

The roll-to-roll process is synonymous with newspaper production. If a similar high-throughput process is developed to fabricate electronics over large areas, it would revolutionize the printed electronics manufacturing process. Rapid fabrication of electrode, including patterning and nanoscale welding, is a necessary integration technique to reduce the duration of the process, but faces difficulties in being realized using conventional methods. This paper discusses material factors that affect printability, in the context of developing a promising fabrication technique called laser induced forward transfer (LIFT); LIFT is non-contact printing technique applied previously to realize simultaneous pattern deposition and nanowelding of Ag nanowire (AgNW)-based electrodes. A photodegradable polymer, which is a key component in the printing process to render droplet acceleration, is investigated with regards to its mechanical and optical properties. Furthermore, the printing process of the AgNW-based electrode is visualized, resulting in deeper understanding of LIFT. Knowledge of these factors will contribute to rapid and precise patterning of AgNW-based electrodes with high stretchability and transparency toward flexible optoelectronics devices.