A Facile Method for Preparing Transparent, Conductive, and Paper-Like Silver Nanowire Films

Abstract EN

Transparent, conductive, and flexible silver nanowire (AgNW) films have been fabricated by a facile two-step method.

Firstly, the well-dispersed AgNW suspension is vacuum filtered using mixed esters of cellulose (MCE) membranes as filters.

Then, the AgNW-MCE films are treated with acetone vapor.

After the infiltration of acetone vapor, the white and porous MCE membranes change into transparent and pore-free, and AgNW-MCE films are obtained with extraordinary optical, conductive, and mechanical properties.

An optimal result is obtained with transmittance of 85% at 550 nm and sheet resistance about 50 Ohm/sq.

The flexibility of AgNW-MCE films is remarkable, which is comparable to that of the AgNW film on flexible polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

More important, AgNW-MCE films show an excellent adhesion to the substrate, which causes a stable electrical conductivity even after scotch tape test and finger friction test.

As a result of improved adhesion to the substrate, the sheet resistance of AgNW-MCE films is about 20% smaller than that of AgNW-PET films.