Conductive polymers reduce light reflections on displays by 50%

“Clevios HY E is an improved hybrid product made of silver nanowires and the conductive polymer PEDOT:PSS. More than 300,000 bends with a bending radius of one millimeter can thereby withstand a 40 Ohm/sq conductive layer without damage,” says Dr. Armin Sautter, Head of Technical Services at Heraeus Emerging Business.

At the trade show, the technology group will present a new foldable touch sensor based on Clevios HY E that can be used in AMOLED displays.

An additional Clevios innovation improves the optical properties and function of LCDs (liquid crystal displays): The polymer enables transparent conductive and scratch resistant shielding layers on display glass and reduces distracting light reflexions by over 50% in comparison with previously used ITO layers (indium tin oxide).

This increases the optical display contrast. Clevios has minimal inherent color and higher transmission than ITO. It can furthermore be applied via an inexpensive wet coating process.

“Layers produced with Clevios achieve higher optical transmission, greater clarity, and they are colorless. They are perfectly suited to be display layers since they are very stable not only mechanically but also in climate tests,” says Armin Sautter. The products cure quickly (within five minutes) and achieve up to 8H pencil hardness.

Another Heraeus highlight on display are printed capacitive touch sensors. In the future, it will be possible to mold switches and control elements into whatever shape is needed, not just the customary flat and two dimensional.

This requires extremely flexible, transparent conductors. Clevios is suited for this purpose and can be used in thermo- and high pressure forming processes.