Oxidation-Resistant Cu-Based Nanowire Transparent Electrodes Activated by an Exothermic Reduction Reaction.

This article describes an approach to making highly stable copper nanowire networks on any type of substrates. These nanostructured materials are highly sought after for, among other applications, the development of next-generation flexible electronics. Their high susceptibility to oxidation in air currently limits their use in the real world.

Silver Nanowire-Based Transparent Electrodes for VO Thin Films with Electrochromic Properties.

The development of electrochromic systems, known for the modulation of their optical properties under an applied voltage, depends on the replacement of the state-of-the-art ITO (InO:Sn) transparent electrode (TE) as well as the improvement of electrochromic films. This study presents an innovative ITO-free electrochromic film architecture utilizing oxide-coated silver nanowire (AgNW) networks as a TE and VO as an electrochromic oxide layer. The TE was prepared by simple spray deposition of AgNWs that allowed for tuning different densities of the network and hence the resistance and transparency of the film.

Exploring the degradation of silver nanowire networks under thermal stress by coupling X-ray diffraction and electrical resistance measurements.

The thermal instability of silver nanowires (AgNWs) leads to a significant increase of the electrical resistance of AgNW networks. A better understanding of the relationship between the structural and electrical properties of AgNW networks is primordial for their efficient integration as transparent electrodes (TEs) for next-generation flexible optoelectronics. Herein, we investigate the evolution of the main crystallographic parameters ( integrated intensity, interplanar spacing and peak broadening) of two Ag-specific Bragg peaks, (111) and (200), during a thermal ramp up to 400 °C through X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements, coupled with electrical resistance measurements on the same AgNW network.

Advances in Flexible Metallic Transparent Electrodes.

Transparent electrodes (TEs) are pivotal components in many modern devices such as solar cells, light-emitting diodes, touch screens, wearable electronic devices, smart windows, and transparent heaters. Recently, the high demand for flexibility and low cost in TEs requires a new class of transparent conductive materials (TCMs), serving as substitutes for the conventional indium tin oxide (ITO). So far, ITO has been the most used TCM despite its brittleness and high cost.

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

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.