High-performance Ag nanowires/PEDOT:PSS composite electrodes for PVDF-HFP piezoelectric nanogenerators

The highly transparent and conductive poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly (styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS)/Ag nanowires (NWs) composite electrodes have been prepared by simple spin-coating method for flexible piezoelectric nanogenerator (FPNG). By changing the length/diameter (L/D) ratio of Ag NWs and the volume ratio of Ag NWs to PEDOT:PSS, the composite film electrode with a low sheet resistance of 17 Ω/sq and a high diffusive transmittance of 84% at 550 nm were prepared. Effective embedment of the Ag NWs network into the conductive PEDOT:PSS layer led to metallic conductivity, high diffusive transmittance, and highly flexibility, which was desirable for flexible and transparent devices. In addition, the composite electrodes showed a stable performance during moisture and inner bending testing, due to the high strain capacity of both PEDOT:PSS and Ag NW network. The composite electrodes would be a promising alternative to high-cost metallic electrodes to produce cost-efficient devices. The hybrid electrodes have been successfully used as the electrode for a FPNG with a high output voltage (about 1.2 V) and sensitivity of 326 mV/N.