Abstract
Silver nanowire (AgNW) networks have been intensively investigated in recent years. Thanks to their attractive physical properties in terms of optical transparency and electrical conductivity, as well as their mechanical performance, AgNW networks are promising transparent electrodes (TE) for several devices, such as solar cells, transparent heaters, touch screens or light-emitting devices. However, morphological instabilities, low adhesion to the substrate, surface roughness and ageing issues may limit their broader use and need to be tackled for a successful performance and long working lifetime. The aim of the present work is to highlight efficient strategies to optimize the physical properties of AgNW networks. In order to situate our work in relation to existing literature, we briefly reported recent studies which investigated physical properties of AgNW networks. First, we investigated the optimization of optical transparency and electrical conductivity by comparing two types of AgNWs with different morphologies, including PVP layer and AgNW dimensions. In addition, their response to thermal treatment was deeply investigated. Then, zinc oxide (ZnO) and tin oxide (SnO2) protective films deposited by Atmospheric Pressure Spatial Atomic Layer Deposition (AP-SALD) were compared for one type of AgNW. We clearly demonstrated that coating AgNW networks with these thin oxide layers is an efficient approach to enhance the morphological stability of AgNWs when subjected to thermal stress. Finally, we discussed the main future challenges linked with AgNW networks optimization processes.
Highlights
IntroductionMetallic nanowires (MNWs) started to be investigated after significant progress in the synthesis of silver nanowires (AgNWs) [1], followed by copper nanowires (CuNWs) [2], as well as copper-nickel nanowires (Cu–Ni NWs) [3] or other bimetallic nanowires [4].The random networks formed by MNWs show excellent properties in terms of optical transparency and electrical conductivity [5,6]; they exhibit great potential as transparent electrodes (TE) [7,8] integrated within many devices, such as solar cells [9,10], transparent heaters [11,12,13], organic light-emitting diodes [14], smart windows [15], flexible pressure sensors [16], supercapacitors [17] or touch screens [18]
As with the zinc oxide (ZnO) coating, this study demonstrated that even a thin SnO2 coating deposited by AP–SALD drastically enhances the thermal stability of AgNW networks
We highlighted the significance of key parameters, such as the AgNW synthesis method, network density, post-deposition treatments and the coating of AgNWs by thin oxide layers
Summary
Metallic nanowires (MNWs) started to be investigated after significant progress in the synthesis of silver nanowires (AgNWs) [1], followed by copper nanowires (CuNWs) [2], as well as copper-nickel nanowires (Cu–Ni NWs) [3] or other bimetallic nanowires [4].The random networks formed by MNWs show excellent properties in terms of optical transparency and electrical conductivity [5,6]; they exhibit great potential as transparent electrodes (TE) [7,8] integrated within many devices, such as solar cells [9,10], transparent heaters [11,12,13], organic light-emitting diodes [14], smart windows [15], flexible pressure sensors [16], supercapacitors [17] or touch screens [18]. MNW networks have demonstrated promising assets for several applications, not necessarily related to TE, such as antimicrobial activity [19], water purification [20], memristive devices [21] or Nanomaterials 2021, 11, 2785. Regardless of the targeted application, it is crucial to optimize the physical properties of MNW networks to ensure an efficient integration within devices. There is no consensus-based global optimization method, since this issue depends highly on the target application, with its specific features and constraints, but it is dependent on the chemical nature and dimensions of the MNWs themselves.
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