Transparent conductive films, articles, and methods

Abstract

Transparent conductive films, articles made from them, and methods of making them are disclosed. Some transparent conductive films include flexible glass substrates and conductive layers containing metal nanoparticles. Others include at least one layer with cell walls that contain metal nanorods or conductive nanowires. Still others include a substrate with a coating disposed on it, with the coating including conductive components and photopolymers. Such films are useful in such articles as electronic displays, touch screens, and the like.

1 . A transparent conductive film comprising a substrate and at least one layer disposed on the substrate, the at least one layer comprising conductive components and at least one photopolymer composition. 
     
     
         2 . The transparent conductive film according to  claim 1 , wherein the conductive components comprise carbon nanotubes or metal nanoparticles. 
     
     
         3 . The transparent conductive film according to  claim 2 , wherein the metal nanoparticles comprise metal nanowires, metal nanocubes, metal nanorods, metal nanopyramids, or metal nanotubes. 
     
     
         4 . The transparent conductive film according to  claim 2 , wherein the metal nanoparticles comprise metal nanowires. 
     
     
         5 . The transparent conductive film according to  claim 4 , wherein the metal nanowires comprise silver nanowires. 
     
     
         6 . The transparent conductive film according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one photopolymer composition is water developable. 
     
     
         7 . The transparent conductive film according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one layer is a conductive layer. 
     
     
         8 . The transparent conductive film according to  claim 1 , wherein the substrate is a flexible glass substrate. 
     
     
         9 . The transparent conductive film according to  claim 8 , wherein the flexible glass substrate has at least one of the following: (1) an average thickness less than about 500 μm, (2) an average thickness greater than about 10 μm and less than about 100 μm, (3) can achieve a radius of curvature greater than about 5 mm and less than about 50 cm without breaking, (4) can achieve a radius of curvature greater than about 10 mm and less than about 10 cm without breaking, or (5) comprises an ion-exchanged glass. 
     
     
         10 . The transparent conductive film according to  claim 8 , wherein the flexible glass substrate comprises at least one of a silicate glass, an alkali silicate glass, an alkali aluminosilicate glass, an aluminosilicate glass, a borosilicate glass, an alkali aluminogermanate glass, an alkali germanate glass, or an alkali gallogermanate glass. 
     
     
         11 . A method comprising:
 providing a conductive film comprising a substrate and at least one coating disposed on the substrate, the at least one coating comprising conductive components and at least one photopolymer composition; and   developing the film to form a patterned conductive film.   
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the patterned conductive film is a transparent conductive film. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the photopolymer composition is water developable. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the substrate is a flexible glass substrate. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the flexible glass substrate has at least one of the following: (1) an average thickness less than about 500 μm, (2) an average thickness greater than about 10 μm and less than about 100 μm, (3) can achieve a radius of curvature greater than about 5 mm and less than about 50 cm without breaking, (4) can achieve a radius of curvature greater than about 10 mm and less than about 10 cm without breaking, or (5) comprises an ion-exchanged glass. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the flexible glass substrate comprises at least one of a silicate glass, an alkali silicate glass, an alkali aluminosilicate glass, an aluminosilicate glass, a borosilicate glass, an alkali aluminogermanate glass, an alkali germanate glass, or an alkali gallogermanate glass. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the conductive components comprise carbon nanotubes or metal nanoparticles. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein the metal nanoparticles comprise metal nanowires, metal nanocubes, metal nanorods, metal nanopyramids, or metal nanotubes. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein the metal nanoparticles comprise metal nanowires. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 19 , wherein the metal nanowires comprise silver nanowires.