Welded silver nanowire networks as high-performance transparent conductive electrodes: Welding techniques and device applications

Owing to the combined advantages of superior optical transmittance and excellent flexibility, low-cost silver nanowire networks (Ag-NNs) are considered as the promising candidates to replace brittle and cost ineffective indium tin oxide (ITO) transparent electrodes. Moreover, Ag-NNs are also the best alternative to compensate low-yield and high-cost carbon nanotubes and graphene-based electrodes. However, the high contact resistance among Ag nanowires can result in deterioration of the electrical performance. A variety of strategies have been conducted to mitigate this problem, in an attempt to obtain high-quality Ag-NNs. This review summarizes recent advanced techniques to weld Ag-NNs, i.e., light-induced welding, heat-induced welding, capillary-force-induced welding and chemical welding. The sheet resistance of AgNNs can be significantly reduced without sacrificing the high transparency and superior flexibility of AgNNs, thereby exhibiting great potential to replace ITO for advanced wearable semiconductor applications. (c) 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.