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 cell walls, the cell walls comprising at least one conductive nanoparticle comprising one or more of conductive nanorods, conductive nanowires, or conductive nanotubes, 
     
     
         2 . The transparent conductive film according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one conductive nanoparticle comprises conductive metal. 
     
     
         3 . The transparent conductive film according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one conductive nanoparticle comprises conductive carbon. 
     
     
         4 . The transparent conductive film according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one conductive nanoparticle comprises conductive metal and conductive carbon. 
     
     
         5 . The transparent conductive film according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one void at least partially surrounded by at least one of the cell walls. 
     
     
         6 . The transparent conductive film according to  claim 5 , wherein the at least one void is free of conductive nanorods, nanowires, and nanotubes. 
     
     
         7 . The transparent conductive film according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one void surrounded by at least one of the cell walls. 
     
     
         8 . The transparent conductive film according to  claim 7 , wherein the at least one void is free of conductive nanorods, nanowires, and nanotubes. 
     
     
         9 . The transparent conductive film according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one void surrounded by one of the cell walls. 
     
     
         10 . The transparent conductive film according to  claim 9 , wherein the at least one void is free of conductive nanorods, nanowires, and nanotubes. 
     
     
         11 . The transparent conductive film according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one layer exhibits a two-dimensional cellular foam structure. 
     
     
         12 . The transparent conductive film according to  claim 1 , wherein the substrate comprises flexible glass. 
     
     
         13 . The transparent conductive film according to  claim 12 , wherein the 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. 
     
     
         14 . The transparent conductive film according to  claim 12 , wherein the 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. 
     
     
         15 . The transparent conductive film according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one layer comprises at least one conductive layer.