Transparent conductive nanocomposite layers with polymer matrix and silver nanowires reinforcement

Abstract

Purpose: The article deals with one of the completely new groups of composite inorganic nanostructured materials used in the form of surface layers, characterised by unique properties, such as transparency over 84.4% in the field of visible light waves, anti-reflective and electrical properties comparable to semiconductors. Design/methodology/approach: A technology for producing such layers containing not less than 5% of silver nanowires by mixing a colloid containing silver nanowires from fragmented agglomerates by ultrasound homogeniser with the polymer dissolved in chloroform with good bonding to the polymer matrix and of good quality was developed. Findings: It was shown that increasing the content of silver nanowires to 30% in composite layers causes an increase in the refractive coefficient from 1.9 to 2.2 and a decrease in light transmission from 88.1 to 81.9% and a decrease in the value of light reflection from 11.1% up to 6.7%. With an increased content of silver nanowires, these layers show better electrical properties, and the width of the energy gap is reduced from 3.93 eV to 1.60 eV. Composite layers with a mass fraction greater than 5% of silver nanowires show properties analogous to semiconductors despite the metallic nature of their conductivity. Research limitations/implications: The use of silver nanowires as a reinforcement of transparent nanocomposite layers with a poly(methyl methacrylate) PMMA matrix improves selected optical and electrical properties as a result of the uniform distribution of the reinforcing phase in the matrix material. Originality/value: The influence of the content of silver nanowires, layering conditions, applied methods of dispersing silver nanowires in the matrix material on the structure and properties of newly developed nanocomposite layers was determined.