41 / 2026-09-17 20:56:58

Robust Flexible Transparent Electrodes for Multifunctional Optical Modulators: From Stimuli-Responsive Modulation to Multispectral Regulation

Ag nanowires,transparent electrodes,flexible optoelectronics,optical modulation,electrochromism

Robust flexible transparent electrodes are essential for flexible optical modulators that must maintain high transparency and conductivity under mechanical deformation and harsh operating conditions. Here, we developed Ag nanowire (Ag NW) micromesh-based transparent electrodes for multifunctional optical modulation, spanning electrothermal, liquid-crystal, and electrochromic devices. For electrothermal modulation, a self-assembled Ag NW micromesh embedded in hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC) combined high optical transparency with low sheet resistance and rapid Joule heating, reaching 60 °C within 8 s at only 2.5 V. The device enabled both electrically and thermally triggered thermochromic switching (Fig. 1a).^[1] For electric-field-driven modulation, an Ag NW/PDMS electrode was integrated into a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) device, achieving 69% optical modulation with sub-second switching and stable operation after over 1000 bending cycles and at 40% tensile strain (Fig. 1b).^[2] To improve electrochemical stability, an Au shell was grown on the Ag NW micromesh. The resulting Ag@Au NW electrode retained high visible transparency and low sheet resistance while showing improved electrochemical stability. When combined with an MXene/WO₃ electrochromic layer, the device achieved an optical modulation of 74% at 633 nm. The Ag@Au NW electrode was also used in flexible PANI//WO₃ and self-powered Zn//WO₃ electrochromic devices (Fig. 1c).^[3] These results demonstrate Ag NW micromesh electrodes as a robust and versatile platform for flexible multifunctional optical modulation, combining high transparency, conductivity, mechanical durability, and environmental stability.