Self-Assembled SnO2 nanoshells grown on copper nanowires after electroplating soldering for stable and transparent Conductors

In this study, a simple and effective technique is introduced for creating stable and transparent flexible electrodes. This method not only improves the conductivity of copper nanowires (Cu NWs) but also ensures their exceptional stability. The developed SnO 2 -welded Cu NWs exhibit a low sheet resistance ( R sh ) of 12.3 Ω/sq and a high transmittance ( T ) of 83.3 %. Moreover, this material demonstrates excellent electrical conductivity even under harsh conditions, such as a temperature of 85℃and a humidity of 85 %, for 48 h. Utilizing PET as the substrate, the deposition of thin layers of copper nanoparticles on the surface of the Cu NWs reduces resistivity. Subsequently, a colorless transparent SnO 2 nanoshell is formed through solution coating. This process enhances the chemical and thermal stability of the SnO 2 -welded Cu NWs, protecting them from potential damage as demonstrated by thermal stability tests. During the test, the resistance only increased to 0.62 % after exposure to 125 ℃ for 30 min. These results suggest an advancement in developing practical methods for creating high-performance electrodes for flexible electronic applications.