Polymer-embedded silver nanowire flexible transparent electrodes with silica-based reactive interlayer

Flexible transparent electrodes (FTEs) based on silver nanowires (AgNWs) are promising components for next-generation flexible electronics, yet their high vulnerability severely limits practical applicability. Here, we report a rational surface design strategy to construct polymer-embedded AgNW FTEs with superior overall stability by introducing a silica-based reactive hybrid interfacial layer. AgNW networks were sequentially modified with (3-mercaptopropyl)trimethoxysilane (M) and vinyltrimethoxysilane (V), forming the reactive layer that bridges AgNWs and a polymer matrix through strong Ag–S and covalent bonds, respectively. This interfacial design enables efficient transfer of AgNW networks into a polymer matrix while preserving electrical conductivity and enhancing transmittance. The optimized FTEs exhibit a low sheet resistance of 17.3 Ω sq^–1, high transmittance of 93.1% at 550 nm, and a high figure of merit (FoM) of 300 compared to that of the pristine AgNW FTEs (243). Moreover, the resulting FTEs demonstrate outstanding resistance to mechanical stress, high temperature/humidity exposure, corrosive chemicals, thermal stress, and electrochemical agitation. Furthermore, the optimized FTEs are applied to transparent capacitive pressure sensors, all-solid-state supercapacitors, and transparent heaters, demonstrating their excellent durability and device performance under practical operating conditions. This study provides a generalizable interfacial design principle for stabilizing AgNW-based FTEs in advanced flexible electronic devices.