Silver Nanowire Networks: Mechano-Electric Properties and Applications

Abstract

With increasing technological demand for portable electronic and photovoltaic devices, it has become critical to ensure the electrical and mechano-electric reliability of electrodes in such devices. However, the limited flexibility and high processing costs of traditional electrodes based on indium tin oxide undermine their application in flexible devices. Among various alternative materials for flexible electrodes, such as metallic/carbon nanowires or meshes, silver nanowire (Ag NW) networks are regarded as promising candidates owing to their excellent electrical, optical, and mechano-electric properties. In this context, there have been tremendous studies on the physico-chemical and mechano-electric properties of Ag NW networks. At the same time, it has been a crucial job to maximize the device performance (or their mechano-electric performance) by reconciliation of various properties. This review discusses the properties and device applications of Ag NW networks under dynamic motion by focusing on notable findings and cases in the recent literature. Initially, we introduce the fabrication (deposition process) of Ag NW network-based electrodes from solution-based coating processes (drop casting, spray coating, spin coating, etc.) to commercial processes (slot-die and roll-to-roll coating). We also discuss the electrical/optical properties of Ag NW networks, which are governed by percolation, and their electrical contacts. Second, the mechano-electric properties of Ag NW networks are reviewed by describing individual and combined properties of NW networks with dynamic motion under cyclic loading. The improved mechano-electric properties of Ag NW network-based flexible electrodes are also discussed by presenting various approaches, including post-treatment and hybridization. Third, various Ag NW-based flexible devices (electronic and optoelectronic devices) are introduced by discussing their operation principles, performance, and challenges. Finally, we offer remarks on the challenges facing the current studies and discuss the direction of research in this field, as well as forthcoming issues to be overcome to achieve integration into commercial devices.

Transparent Heaters: A Review

“…MNW networks have been the subject of a lot of research lately, with a focus on the industrial integration of the networks as transparent electrodes into opto‐electronic devices, as recently reviewed by several authors. [ 20,38,39,157,158 ] Among the possible MNW materials, silver has been the most investigated, [ 33,34,39,159–162 ] while CuNW networks constitute an interesting alternative. [ 48,66,76,163,164 ] Figure 7b exhibits a high‐resolution TEM image of a CuNW showing the fivefold symmetry.…”

Evaluation of Antibacterial and Cytotoxicity Properties of Silver Nanowires and Their Composites with Carbon Nanotubes for Biomedical Applications

“…Table 1. MIC and MBC values (mg/mL) for AgNWs, AgNWs-CNT, AgNWs-CNT-mix, AgNO 3 and CNTs. Data are reported as the mean ± SD (n ≥ 3).…”

“…Silver nanowires (AgNWs) are one-dimensional silver structures and are currently being intensively studied for thermal and electronic applications due to their excellent conductive properties [1][2][3]. Despite the fact that the antibacterial and cytotoxic properties of other silver nanoparticles have been widely explored [4][5][6][7][8] and medical devices loaded with silver nanopoarticles have been developed, research on AgNW antibacterial properties, mechanisms of action and possible biomedical applications is still scarce [9].…”

Effect of Flash Light Sintering on Silver Nanowire Electrode Networks

“…Metal nanowires (NWs), which are one-dimensional metal structures with high aspect ratio, have been proposed as the ideal material for flexible TCE due to their high electrical conductivity with low surface coverage [8][9][10][11][12][13]. Networks of NWs are highly advantageous to the industry because they can be used to produce large-area films by implementing simple coating techniques (e.g., slot-die coating, which is a common method in film-producing).…”