Nanoscale Electrical Investigation of Transparent Conductive Electrodes Based on Silver Nanowire Network

Presently, metallic nanowires (NWs) are the most promising materials to fabricate flexible transparent electrodes as an alternative to indium tin oxide. Here, the high performance of transparent conductive electrodes (TCEs) based on silver nanowires (AgNWs) percolation networks is reported. With optimized experimental conditions for the deposition, the AgNWs result in low sheet resistance of 10 omega sq(-1) combined with a high optical transmittance of 92.6% at lambda = 550 nm. This leads to a valuable figure of merit as compared to other TCEs. In this study, the nanoscale electrical properties of the AgNWs are measured via conductive atomic force microscopy to characterize the percolation network. The electrical resistivity value calculated for a single AgNW is found to be about 12.35 mu ohm cm, while a nanoscale conductivity map over an AgNW network bridging two electrodes has revealed high levels of current within the network over a distance of more than 1000 mu m. The favorable determined conductivity results along with the high optical properties of the AgNWs network strongly suggest that thin-film electrodes based on AgNWs will be a potential approach for future flexible electronic devices.

Automated summary

This study reports the high performance of transparent conductive electrodes (TCEs) based on silver nanowires (AgNWs) percolation networks. By optimizing the deposition conditions, AgNWs exhibit low sheet resistance and high optical transmittance. Conductive atomic force microscopy measurements reveal low resistivity of individual AgNWs and high current levels within the network. Thin-film electrodes based on AgNWs show great potential for future flexible electronic devices.