Silver Nanowire Transparent Conductive Films Research Articles

Surface modification of silver nanowire transparent conductive films by metal oxide nanoparticles and the application of electric ceramic teacup

Surface modification of silver nanowire transparent conductive films by metal oxide nanoparticles and the application of electric ceramic teacup

Shear force strategy for preparation of aligned silver nanowire transparent conductive thin films

Silver nanowires transparent conductive films (AgNWs-TCFs) prepared by traditional rotary coating method, which will cause the failure of conductive channels of AgNWs-TCFs under current load because of their AgNWs distributing randomly, were restricted its industrial application of flexible electronic devices. In this paper, the aligned AgNWs-TCFs were deposited by using the shear force from the high-speed rotating concentrated nanowire solution. Based on the rheological performance test results, the preparation conditions were set at nanowire solution of 2.0 mg/mL and the substrate immersed in PEI of 0.5 mg/mL for 10 min. The aligned AgNWs-TCFs with one-layer structure (1 L-Aligned AgNWs-TCFs) and with perpendicular two-layer structure (2 L-Aligned AgNWs-TCFs) were obtained by shear rate of 400 rpm. It was found that the resistance of 1 L-Aligned AgNWs-TCFs showed a high degree of anisotropy, with a ratio of longitudinal and lateral resistance values of 3.60, while the resistance of 2 L-Aligned AgNWs-TCFs is isotropic similarly to randomly distribution AgNWs-TCFs. However, the current-loading stability of 2 L-Aligned AgNWs-TCFs is significantly improved. The failure voltage of 2 L-Aligned AgNWs-TCFs is 13 V, but that of randomly distributed AgNWs-TCFs is only 9 V. Compared to other aligned AgNWs-TCFs preparation methods, our method enables controllable preparation and industrial development of aligned AgNWs-TCFs.

Improvement of Electrical Properties of Silver Nanowires Transparent Conductive by Metal Oxide Nanoparticles Modification

At present, silver nanowire transparent conductive films (AgNWs-TCFs) still have problems such as high resistance of AgNWs network nodes, uneven distribution of resistance and poor electrical performance stability, which restrict their commercial application. Different from chemical modification, in this paper, a method of modifying AgNWs-TCFs with metal oxide nanoparticles (MONPs) is proposed, that is, ZnO, SnO2, Al2O3 and TiO2 etc., four transparent metal oxides are used as targets respectively in a magnetron sputtering process, modifying the silver nanowire network wire–wire junctions and silver nanowire in AgNWs-TCFs using active MONPs generated by magnetron sputtering. A series of AgNWs@MONPs for the AgNWs@ZnO-TCFs, AgNWs@SnO2-TCFs, AgNWs@Al2O3-TCFs and AgNWs@TiO2-TCFs were obtained. A significant decrease in the resistance of AgNWs-TCFs through the modification of MONPs was shown. Respectively, the reduction of resistance was 75.6%, 70.4%, 53.2% and 59.8% for AgNWs@ZnO-TCFs, AgNWs@SnO2-TCFs, AgNWs@Al2O3-TCFs and AgNWs@TiO2-TCFs. Correspondingly, its non-uniformity of resistance distribution was 12.5% (18.2% before), 10.0% (17.1% before), 10.1% (24.3% before) and 10.6% (13.4% before), respectively, which markedly improved the uniformity of electrical property. Respectively, their failure voltages reach 16, 16, 15 and 16 (V), so accordingly, the electrical stability is considerably enhanced. In addition, the uniformity of temperature distribution was also significantly optimized with its temperature non-uniformity of 10.4%, 8.7%, 10.3% and 9.6%, respectively. Contrast that with AgNWs@MONPs, and the failure voltages and temperature non-uniformity of AgNWs-TCFs are 12 V and 40.6%.

Facile fabrication of large-scale silver nanowire transparent conductive films by screen printing

Silver nanowire transparent conductive films (AgNW TCFs) were facilely prepared by screen printing conductive ink on a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrate, and the effects of ink compositions and oily stencil on the optoelectrical properties of AgNW TCFs were investigated in detail. 7.3 mg·ml−1 hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), 4.12 mg·ml−1 AgNWs and 98T oily stencil allow the preparation of large-scale AgNW TCFs with high transmittance, low square resistance and high uniformity. The resultant screen printed AgNW TCFs possesses a sheet resistance as low as 13.0 ± 0.6 Ω sq−1, a transmittance of about 95.3% at 550 nm wavelength (deducting the background) and a haze of 3.86 (deducting the background), and can achieve a surface root mean square roughness of 3.33 nm, a film size of 15 × 20 cm2 and personalized pattern by means of the screen printing process. The transparent film heater (TFH) constructed by AgNW TCFs can rise to a usable temperature of 55 °C at a low voltage of 4 V within 80 s. This process provides a simple strategy for fabricating uniform, patterned and large size AgNW TCFs for various devices.

Post‐Treatment of Screen‐Printed Silver Nanowire Networks for Highly Conductive Flexible Transparent Films

AbstractScreen printing is an important technique for creating 2D conductive patterns with high conductivity and resolution. Non‐conductive additives are thus required in printable ink formulation in order to achieve appropriate viscosity and rheological behaviors. However, it is still a challenge to recover the conductivity of the printed networks after screen printing, while keeping the integrity of the patterns during repeated water‐washing. Herein, a series of post‐treatments are introduced into the washing process in order to achieve high‐quality silver nanowire (Ag NW) transparent conductive films. Screen‐printed patterns can be well maintained because of the enhanced adhesion between the Ag NW networks and flexible poly(ethylene terephthalate) substrates. High‐performance transparent conductive film with extremely low sheet resistance (0.72 Ω sq−1) is achieved by combining plasma treatment, thermal annealing, and high pressure, making screen‐printed Ag NW conductive networks promising to be used in the next‐generation flexible optoelectronic devices.

Moisture-Assisted Formation of High-Quality Silver Nanowire Transparent Conductive Films with Low Junction Resistance

Silver nanowire (AgNWs) transparent conductive film (TCF) is considered to be the most favorable material to replace indium tin oxide (ITO) as the next-generation transparent conductive film. However, the disadvantages of AgNWs, such as easy oxidation and high wire-wire junction resistance, dramatically limit its commercial application. In this paper, moisture treatment was adopted, and water was dripped on the surface of AgNWs film or breathed on the surface so that the surface was covered with a layer of water vapor. The morphology of silver nanowire mesh nodes is complex, and the curvature is large. According to the capillary condensation theory, water molecules preferentially condense near the geometric surface with significant curvature. The capillary force is generated, making the wire-wire junction of AgNWs mesh bond tightly, resulting in good ohmic contact. The experimental results show that AgNWs-TCF treated by moisture has better conductivity, with an average sheet resistance of 20 Ω/sq and more uniform electrical properties. The bending test and adhesion test showed that AgNWs-TCF treated by moisture still exhibited good mechanical bending resistance and environmental stability.

Structural manipulation of silver nanowire transparent conductive films for optoelectrical property optimization in different application fields

Silver nanowire films as a kind of bright flexible transparent conductive material are expected to have the sheet resistance as low as possible, the critically high optical transmittance and the wide range haze for different applications. Herein, we fabricated a series of silver nanowire transparent conductive films with different structural parameters and sheet resistances. By analyzing the relationship between the structural parameters and optical properties, it was found that the long and thick nanowires led to high transmittance and haze, while long and thin nanowires resulted in high transmittance and low haze. Experimental and theoretical results give instructions of designing silver nanowire films from structural manipulation for various applications in need of high haze, low haze with high transmittance or low haze with high conductivity. Through modification of the diameter, length and density of the silver nanowires, the transparent conductive films with sheet resistance below 75 ohm/square and transmittance above 80% were achieved, while haze at the wavelength of 550 nm could be controlled between 1% and 25%. This work provides insight for practical application of silver nanowires in optoelectronic devices.

Enhanced stability of silver nanowire transparent conductive films against ultraviolet light illumination

Silver nanowires are susceptible to degradation under ultraviolet (UV) light illumination. Encapsulating silver nanowire transparent conductive films (AgNW TCFs) with UV shielding materials usually result in the increasing of the sheet resistance or the decrease of the visible light transparency. Herein, we combine a reducing species (FeSO4) and a thin layer (overcoating) of UV shielding material to solve the stability and the optical performance issues simultaneously. The AgNW TCFs show excellent stability under continuous UV light illumination for 14 h, and their sheet resistance varies only 6%. The dramatic enhancement of the stability against UV light illumination for as-obtained TCFs will make them viable for real-world applications in touch panels and displays.

Solution Process Fabrication of Silver Nanowire Composite Transparent Conductive Films with Tunable Work Function

Solution processed silver nanowire transparent conductive films (AgNW TCFs) have attracted substantial attention for various devices, and optoelectrical properties, surface roughness and work function are major issues affecting commercial applications. In this work, work function tunable AgNW-metal oxide composite TCFs (AgNW composite TCFs) were fabricated by filling AgNW networks with ZnO and Au/MoO3 thin films respectively. The introduction of nanoparticle constructed ZnO thin film as an electron transport layer decreases the work function from 3.82 eV of pristine AgNW TCFs to 2.76 eV due to the charges transport between AgNWs and ZnO nanoparticles, while the Au/MoO3 thin film as a hole injection layer increases the work function to 4.46 eV. The work function tunable AgNW composite TCFs show excellent optoelectronic properties with a sheet resistance of 17 Ω/sq and a transmittance of about 90%. Conductive metal oxides and metal nanoparticles filling the holes of AgNW networks improve the rough surface, uneven electronic field and chemical durability especially for better operating time and stability of organic optoelectrical devices, and provide a simple strategy for regulating the performance of AgNW TCFs.

One-step aqueous fabrication of a silver nanowire composite transparent conductive film with high uniformity and stability

High-performance silver nanowire transparent conductive films composited with the chitosan–lactic acid were fabricated with an aqueous ink via a one-step solution process.

A facile method to prepare silver nanowire transparent conductive film for heaters

We presented a facile method to prepare silver nanowire (Ag NW) transparent conductive film (TCF) for heaters. Hydroxylpropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) was used for achieving the excellent dispersity of Ag NWs owing to the hydrogen bonding interaction, at the same time, improved the adhesion between the Ag NW and the substrate. Moreover, the transmittance of the conductive film was also promoted. The as-obtained TCF exhibited an outstanding thermal stability as for heaters, which is better than the Ag NW/metal oxide and Ag NW/carbon nanotube hybrid structures. What’s more, the heaters of thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPU)/Ag NW/hydrogel sandwich structure were also fabricated, the performance indicated that the heaters can be used in heating suit and healthcare. We believed that this work can provide a facile method for the preparation of TCF with good practicability.

Sandwich-Structured Silver Nanowire Transparent Conductive Films with 3H Hardness and Robust Flexibility for Potential Applications in Curved Touch Screens.

A sandwich-structured bottom hard-coat/silver nanowire/top hard-coat (BHC/AgNW/THC) transparent conductive film (TCF) has been prepared by embedding the functional AgNW layer between two HC layers. The BHC/AgNW/THC TCFs show high scratch resistance with a hardness of 3H due to the enhanced adhesion to the substrate. In addition, the BHC/AgNW/THC TCFs exhibit a transmittance of 90.6% and a haze of 1% at 550 nm under a sheet resistance of 72 Ω/sq. Furthermore, highly enhanced long-term stability has been guaranteed by the HC layers due to their excellent gas barrier property. The amazing fact is that hard coating has little effect on the flexibility of AgNW films especially under extreme bending conditions and negligible resistance change could be observed after bending over thousands of times. Consequently, the greatly improved performance of BHC/AgNW/THC TCFs provided by employing hard coating layers paves the way for real-world applications of flexible AgNWs in vast areas that rigid indium tin oxide is not suitable.

Tackling the Stability Issues of Silver Nanowire Transparent Conductive Films through FeCl3 Dilute Solution Treatment

Silver nanowires (AgNWs) have been investigated as alternatives to indium tin oxide in transparent conductive films (TCFs) for electronics. However, AgNW TCFs still pose stability issues when exposed to thermal, chemical, and mechanical stimuli. Herein, we demonstrate a facile and effective route to improve stability by treating the films with dilute ferric chloride solution. Our results indicate that after treatment the films exhibit a dramatically enhanced stability against aging, high temperature oxidation, chemical etching, sulfurization, and mechanical straining. Size-dependent instability is fully explored and explained regarding surface atomic diffusion, which could be blocked by enhancing the activation energy of surface diffusion through forming a AgCl cap under ferric chloride solution treatment. Chemisorption-related Fermi level shift of silver nanowires is applied to tune their chemical reactivity to ferric chloride solution for balancing between size-dependent stability improvement and maintaining optoelectrical properties. Owing to the dilute treatment solution, the treated films exhibit a negligible change in light transmittance, whereas sheet resistance decreases by 30% and flexibility increases because of capillary-force-induced welding of contacting AgNWs and AgCl layer mediated tightening. These findings are significant for real-world applications of AgNW TCFs.

Degradation Mechanism of Silver Nanowire Transparent Conductive Films: a Review

Degradation Mechanism of Silver Nanowire Transparent Conductive Films: a Review

Flexible silver nanowire transparent conductive films prepared by an electrostatic adsorption self-assembly process

In this work, we reported a facile approach to fabricate silver nanowire (AgNW) networks on flexible substrates. Through immersing the modified poly (ethylene terephthalate) with positively charged functional group into the AgNW dispersion with anionic dispersant, a flexible AgNW transparent conductive film was formed by electrostatic adsorption self-assembly process. Even without a post-treatment process, the as-prepared flexible AgNW films exhibited excellent optoelectrical property, low surface roughness and high reliability. It was shown that the insulating dispersant on AgNWs could be effectively removed by an ion bombardment method and then greatly decreased the sheet resistance of AgNW networks. Because of the nature of spontaneous adsorption, this preparation method can be suitable for an arbitrary shaped substrate, which will broaden the application of AgNW conductive films in optoelectronic devices.

Optical haze of randomly arranged silver nanowire transparent conductive films with wide range of nanowire diameters

The effect of the diameter of randomly arranged silver nanowires on the optical haze of silver nanowire transparent conductive films was studied. Proposed simulation model behaved similarly with the experimental results, and was used to theoretically study the optical haze of silver nanowires with diameters in the broad range from 30 nm and above. Our results show that a thickening of silver nanowires from 30 to 100 nm results in the increase of the optical haze up to 8 times, while from 100 to 500 nm the optical haze increases only up to 1.38. Moreover, silver nanowires with diameter of 500 nm possess up to 5% lower optical haze and 5% higher transmittance than 100 nm thick silver nanowires for the same 10-100 Ohm/sq sheet resistance range. Further thickening of AgNWs can match the low haze of 30 nm thick AgNWs, but at higher transmittance. The results obtained from this work allow deeper analysis of the silver nanowire transparent conductive films from the perspective of the diameter of nanowires for various optoelectronic devices.

高均匀性柔性纳米银线透明导电薄膜的制备及其性能研究

高均匀性柔性纳米银线透明导电薄膜的制备及其性能研究

Effects of polarization direction on removal characteristics of silver nanowire transparent conductive film by ultrashort pulsed laser

Effects of polarization direction on removal characteristics of silver nanowire transparent conductive film by ultrashort pulsed laser

Effect of silver nanowire length in a broad range on optical and electrical properties as a transparent conductive film

Optical and electrical properties of silver nanowire transparent conductive films with a broad range of nanowire lengths were studied. A proposed simulation model demonstrated similar behavior with experimental results for 30 and 90 μm nanowires, and thus it was used to expand the range of nanowire lengths from 10 to 200 μm. Theoretical results show that a lengthening of silver nanowires results in an increase of their optoelectronic performance; 200 μm long nanowire possess 13.5 times lower sheet resistance compared to 10 μm ones, while the transmittance remains similar for coverage densities of nanowires up to 25%. Moreover, the dependence of the sheet resistance on the length of nanowires changes non-linearly; from 10 to 20 µm, 20 to 80 µm and 80 to 200 µm the sheet resistance drops by a factor of 5, 2.25 and 1.2 respectively. Furthermore, a thickening of nanowire diameters from 30 to 90 nm decreases the sheet resistance to 5.8 times. Obtained results allow a deeper analysis of the silver nanowire transparent conductive films from the perspective of the length of nanowires for various optoelectronic applications.

Effects of Polarization Direction on Removal Characteristics of Silver Nanowire Transparent Conductive Film by fs Pulsed Laser

Silver nanowire transparent conductive film is expected as a new material for transparent electrodes because of its superior flexibility and electrical conductivity with high transparency at visible wavelength. Laser beam processing has been widely used for these application, and laser beam has the unique characteristic as an electromagnetic wave. Its feature has a great influence on laser-material interaction. However, these mechanism have not yet been clarified. Therefore, the polarization characteristics indicated by electric and magnetic fields were discussed, and effects of polarization direction on removal characteristics of silver nanowire transparent conductive film were investigated by using femtosecond pulsed laser with linear polarization.