Mixed polyols synthesis of high aspect ratio silver nanowires for transparent conductive films

Abstract

Silver nanowires (AgNWs) with high aspect ratio were rapidly synthesized by a mixed polyols process by adding diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol and glycerol into the ethylene glycol to construct the mixed polyols respectively, and the effects of type and volume fraction of mixed polyols on the morphology and aspect ratio of AgNWs were investigated in detail, and the optoelectrical properties of the corresponding transparent conductive electrodes were briefly introduced. The presence of mixed polyols can increase the viscosity of the solution, reduce the migration rate of Ag+ and nuclear in the solution, decrease the diameter of silver nanowires and heighten the length and aspect ratio. Appropriate mixed polyols (triethylene glycol) with the volume fraction of 30% allows the rapid synthesis of AgNWs with the diameter of about 64.2 nm, the length of 66.0 μm and the aspect ratio as high as 1029. The as-prepared AgNWs films possess a transmittance of 89.8% and a sheet resistance of 4.56 Ω/sq. The resultant AgNWs with high aspect ratio can be applied to prepare transparent conductive films.