Joining of Individual Silver Nanowires via Electrical Current

A procedure for joining polyol-synthesized silver nanowires in air using current-induced Joule heat welding is reported. Using a common probe station and photolithographically patterned gold electrodes, the welding process is completed using a common semiconductor analyzer. A unique two-step procedure eliminates the dielectric barrier at the point of contact without damaging the nanowires away from the junction. This procedure is designed for metal-metal contacts where a strong dielectric intermediate layer might exist, which can occur with metals prone to oxidation or corrosion in air, or as a result of the electrode deposition process. Ohmic connections are also established in cases where there is an initial gap between two nanowires.