Electromechanical properties of indium–tin–oxide/poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene): Poly(styrenesulfonate) hybrid electrodes for flexible transparent electrodes

We investigated an indium–tin–oxide (ITO)/poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene): poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) hybrid electrode as a potential flexible and transparent electrode. In particular, the mechanical integrity of an ITO/PEDOT:PSS hybrid electrode deposited onto a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrate was investigated via outer/inner bending, twisting, stretching, and adhesion tests. A PEDOT:PSS layer was inserted between ITO and PET substrate as a buffer layer to improve the flexibility and electrical properties. When a PEDOT:PSS layer was inserted, the sheet resistance of the 20nm-thick ITO film decreased from 270 Ω/square to 57 Ω/square. Notably, the ITO/PEDOT:PSS hybrid electrode had a constant resistance change (ΔR/R0) within an outer and inner bending radius of 3mm. The bending fatigue test showed that the ITO/PEDOT:PSS hybrid electrode can withstand 10,000 bending cycles. Furthermore, the stretched ITO/PEDOT:PSS hybrid electrode showed a fairly constant resistance change up to 4%, which is more stable than the resistance change of the ITO electrode. The ITO/PEDOT:PSS electrode also shows good adhesion strength. The superior flexibility of the ITO/PEDOT:PSS hybrid electrode is attributed to the existence of a flexible PEDOT:PSS layer. This indicates that the hybridization of an ITO and PEDOT:PSS layer is a promising electrode scheme for next-generation flexible transparent electrodes. •We propose a hybrid electrode for flexible electronics.•Electrode made from In2O3:SnO2/poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS)•PEDOT:PSS as a buffer layer increases flexibility and electrical conductivity.•Hybrid electrode has a superior flexibility.•Hybrid electrode can be a promising flexible transparent electrode scheme.