Robust Ag@Au Core–Shell Nanowire Networks: Chemical and Thermal Stabilities Under Harsh Conditions for Transparent Conductive Electrodes

Silver nanowire (Ag NW) transparent conductive electrodes (TCEs) are promising for flexible electronics, but their applications are limited by poor thermal, photochemical, and chemical stability under harsh conditions. Here, we report Ag@Au core–shell NWs fabricated by epitaxially depositing an ultrathin, conformal Au shell onto high‐aspect‐ratio Ag NWs, effectively protecting the Ag core while preserving the conductive network. Compared with pristine Ag NW networks, the Ag@Au films exhibited significantly enhanced stability. The sheet resistance increased by less than 50% after thermal treatment at 200°C for 40 min, whereas bare Ag NW films showed a 606% increase. Under UV/O ₃ exposure, Ag NW films lost conductivity within 7.5 min, while Ag@Au films remained conductive beyond 10 min. In corrosive media, resistance increases were reduced from 451% to 85% in Na ₂ S and from 152% to 25% in NH ₃ ·H ₂ O solutions. After 6 × 10 ³ bending cycles, Ag@Au films showed only a 13% increase in resistance, compared to 289% for Ag NWs. Furthermore, Ag@Au‐based Joule heaters demonstrated lower resistance drift while maintaining comparable heating performance. These results highlight a robust strategy for stable transparent conductive networks in harsh‐environment flexible electronics.