Highly conductive and anticorrosion Ag/CNTs/NDs hybrid films on molecular-grafted PET substrate for flexible electrodes

Highlights: • The films of Ag/CNTs/NDs is uniform, smooth and stable by spin-spray method, which is a new method with development and innovation. • Molecular-grafting technology was applied on PET surface to obtain the strong adhesive strength of films/substrate. • Remaining a relatively very high conductivity property, the films added with NDs exhibited a better mechanical chemical stabilization and practicability. • After 1000000 cycles inner/outer bending deformation, the hybrid films and flexible LED circuit showed an electrical stability. - Abstract: We reported an approach of preparing highly conductive, anticorrosion, flexible Ag hybrid films enhanced by multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and nanodaimonds (NDs) on molecular-grafted PET substrate by spin-spray for flexible electronics. we studied in this paper and found that even an outstanding enhancement on conductivity of Ag films, CNTs have a negative effect on anticorrosion property. Meanwhile, NDs decreased the conductivity of Ag/CNTs hybrids, but it remained a relatively high conductivity property and even was affirmed a distinctly boost improvement on anticorrosion, microhardness and tensile strength, which meant a better mechanical chemical stabilization and practicability in real flexible electronics. To obtain the strong adhesive strength of films/substrate, molecular-grafting technology was applied, which was affirmed by XPS and cross-cut test. What's more, we evaluated anticorrosion property by electrochemistry test, including Tafel measurements and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements, proving the positive effect of NDs on Ag/CNTs hybrid films. For practical application, a flexible light-emitting diode (LED) circuit was successfully structured and remained steady under bending, folding and twisting. Besides, after 1000000 cycles inner/outer bending deformation, the hybrid films showed a mechanical compliance, fatigue stability and practicability in real flexible electronics.