Silver Nanowire Networks: Ways to Enhance Their Physical Properties and Stability

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.

Time of Failure of Metallic Nanowire Networks under Coupled Electrical and Thermal Stress: Implications for Transparent Electrodes Lifetime

“…In this method, the current is applied and ToF is counted starting from the point at which a steady temperature is reached. The choice of a rather high temperature rate (15 °C/min), larger than usual (see Lagrange et al 14 or Bardet et al, 37 where thermal ramps of 2 and 5 °C/ min, respectively, were used), was considered in order to minimize the morphological instability during the thermal ramp. The electrical power during the current flow is dissipated by Joule heating in the AgNW network and is expressed as P in = I 2 R. According to Sorel et al, 32 the increase in temperature of a AgNW network due to Joule heating can be approximated as…”

Fully Solution-Based AgNW/AlOx Nanocomposites for Stable Transparent Heaters

“…Only open-air and all-solution processes were used in the present work to fabricate the AgNW/AlO x TH studied. As shown schematically in Figure , AgNWs in solution were spray deposited on a glass substrate to fabricate AgNW networks with a targeted sheet resistance of 10–15 Ω/sq (Figure a,i). , Then, thin AlO x films were formed directly on top of the AgNW networks, by spin coating the AlO x precursor solution (Figure a,ii,iii), followed by subsequent drying and annealing steps (Figure a,iv) . To study the effect of the concentration of the AlO x solution on the properties of the final composite TH, three different concentrations, namely 0.2 M, 0.4 M, and 1.0 M, were used.…”

“…AgNWs with an aspect ratio close to 100 (average diameter of 70 ± 10 nm and an average length of 8 ± 3 μm), dispersed in methanol, were kindly provided from the research team of Jean-Pierre Simonato from CEA-LITEN in Grenoble, France, being produced as detailed in Mayousse et al Spray deposition was performed with a homemade airbrush setup, as described in detail in our previous works. , Alkaline earth boroaluminosilicate glass substrates were used (Corning 1737, thickness of 1.1 mm). Before deposition, the glasses were rinsed with acetone, sonicated for 15 min in isopropanol, rinsed with distilled water, and finally dried with N 2 gas.…”

“…Metal oxide thin-film coatings have proven to be an effective barrier to protect AgNW networks and enhance their performance. , Among them, aluminum oxide (AlO x ) thin films have gained considerable interest in recent years as protective and anticorrosion coatings . However, only a few studies have been reported so far on the encapsulation of AgNW-based TE with AlO x layers, using atomic layer deposition (ALD), , physical vapor deposition (PVD), or electrodeposition to deposit the coating .…”

Advances in constructing silver nanowire-based conductive pathways for flexible and stretchable electronics

“…6b. 259 Generally, in the low-temperature range, the resistance drop is caused by desorption of residues and degradation of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). With increasing of temperature, the resistance drop slows down.…”