Three-Dimensional Stretchable and Transparent Conductors with Controllable Strain-Distribution Based on Template-Assisted Transfer Printing

Although stretchable transparent conductors, stemmed from the strategies of both conductive composite and structural design of nonstretchable conductors, have been extensively studied, these conductors either suffer from low stretchability or require a complex fabrication process, which drastically limits their practical applications. Here, we propose a novel strategy combining the design of substrates and a simple template-assisted transfer printing process to fabricate three-dimensional (3D) transparent conductors. The strategy not only eliminates the complex and costly fabrication processes but it also endows conductors with high stretchability and long-term stability, thanks to the controllable strain distribution as well as the seamless connection between the conductor layer and the substrate. These newly designed 3D conductors achieve a low sheet resistance of 1.0 Ω/sq with a high transmittance of above 85% and remain stable without obvious resistance change during 1000 stretching-relaxation cycles ...