Spin-coated highly aligned silver nanowire networks in conductive latex-based thin layer films

Abstract

Conductive thin films are industrially applied from display units to sensors. For many applications, current thin films struggle with a lack of transparency to light and of mechanical flexibility. Conductive nanowires and polymers in appropriate combinations could circumvent these two issues. In order to shed light on the impact of manufacturing conditions on the properties of conducting thin film, we report on structure, conductivity and transmission experiments involving spin-coated silver nanowire and polymer latex mixtures. Surprisingly, we find the nanowires to predominantly orient either parallel or perpendicular to the centripetal force, thus forming a conductive network. The conductivity of this network is enhanced by relying on bilayer rather than monolayer films, which show a better transmittance than indium tin oxide films do in a broader wavelength range.