Solution-processed copper–nickel nanowire anodes for organic solar cells

Abstract

This work describes a process to make anodes for organic solar cells from copper-nickel nanowires with solution-phase processing. Copper nanowire films were coated from solution onto glass and made conductive by dipping them in acetic acid. Acetic acid removes the passivating oxide from the surface of copper nanowires, thereby reducing the contact resistance between nanowires to nearly the same extent as hydrogen annealing. Films of copper nanowires were made as oxidation resistant as silver nanowires under dry and humid conditions by dipping them in an electroless nickel plating solution. Organic solar cells utilizing these completely solution-processed copper-nickel nanowire films exhibited efficiencies of 4.9%.

A high productivity and speedy synthesis process for copper nanowires via an ethylenediamine-mediated method

“…Generally, the Cu NWs electrodes preparation, which was carried out in this study, is similar with the one of Steward et al [15]. First, nitrocellulose, also known as cellulose nitrate, was synthesized.…”

“…For instance, the Cu NWs films displayed sheet resistances of 15, 23.5, 27.5 X/sq at transmittance of 72, 81, 82.5% at k = 550 nm, respectively. Compared with the Cu NWs electrodes which were fabricated with the same procedure by Stewart et al [15], our Cu NWs electrode exhibited equivalent performance. Moreover, the performance of our films is similar or slightly better in comparison with other Int Nano Lett (2017) 7:165-169 167…”

Oleylamine Assisted Synthesis of Ultralong Copper Nanowires

“…Copper nanowire (Cu NW) research has attracted considerable attention because of its wide range of applications such as electrical interconnects, photodetectors, field emission devices, microheaters, gas sensors, and as a potential low-cost alternative to indium tin oxide for use as a transparent conducting electrode [1][2][3]. Its excellent electrical and thermal conductivity coupled with its abundance makes it a very viable alternative.…”

Synthesis of Copper-Nickel Nanowires by Two-Step Method

“…However, ITO, being a ceramic, is brittle and prone to cracking. The cost of ITO is also high since indium is scarce (0.05 ppm) in the earth's crust [4][5].Cu, next to silver (Ag), has the second highest conductivity among all metals and it is more abundant and cheaper. However, the use of Cu nanowires in flexible transparent electrodes is limited due to its high susceptibility to oxidation.…”