Estimation of the work of adhesion between ITO and polymer substrates: a surface thermodynamics approach

Indium tin oxide (ITO) is one of the most widely used semiconductor among transparent conducting oxides (TCOs) due to their electrical conductivity and optical transparency properties. Since development low temperature deposition methods, coating ITO on polymer substrates especially for use in flexible electronics has been a popular topic. The existence adequate adhesion strength between critical producing successful film. Nowadays, polycarbonate (PC), poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) polyethyleneterephtalate (PET) are frequently as such coatings. However, there may be other polymeric alternatives that have potential this purpose future. To evaluate these alternatives, work (W$_{a}$) knowledge polymers necessary, it not handled systematically previously. In study, interphase interaction parameters Wa values various were calculated based Dupré, Fowkes Girifalco- Good equations. PC, PMMA, PET, polystyrene (PS), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), Nylon 66, polypropylene (PP), polyvinylchloride (PVC), styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), high density polyethylene (HDPE), (LDPE), polyvinyl acetate (PVAc), fluoride (PVF), polyvinylidene (PVDF), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polytrifluoroethylene (PTrFE) polyperfluoroalkylethyl acrylate (PPFA) considered substrate material. Surface free energy (SFE) components by acid-base, geometric mean harmonic approaches during calculations. present can evaluated terms ability ITO, significance calculation methods W$_{a}$ also investigated simultaneously. It was determined directly related with total SFE value polymers.