Characterization of the Mechanical Integrity of Cu Nanowire-Based Transparent Conducting Electrode

Abstract

Smooth Cu nanowires were synthesized in a dual surfactant hydrothermal process using oleylamine and oleic acid. The Cu nanowires have a mean diameter of 82.3 nm and lengths >300 μm. Cu nanowire based transparent conducting electrodes were successfully fabricated with a decreased sheet resistance of 3.479 to 1.04 kΩ/sq in an increasing nanowire density with a transmittance from 94-80 %. The fabricated transparent electrode exhibits good mechanical stability with high flexibility even after 50 bending cycles. This indicates strong adhesion of the Cu nanowires on the substrate.