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Structure-Property Relationship of Nanowire Networks

Benjamin Wiley, Patrick Charbonneau and collaborators studied how to optimize the properties of transparent conducting nanowire networks by controlling the dimensions of the nanowires. Transparent conducting films made from silver nanowires are already finding their way into the cell phones and solar cells due to their greater mechanical flexibility and lower cost. To determine the effect of nanowire dimensions on the properties of the films, the ΔMRSEC researchers developed a way to grow silver nanowires from solution in a range of different lengths and widths. Comparison of films made from nanowires of different lengths confirmed, for the first time, theoretical predictions for the effect of length on the properties of transparent conducting films. Decreasing nanowire diameter increased the number density of nanowires at a given transmittance, leading to a network with improved connectivity and conductivity.

Gabriel P. Lopez, Duke University, DMR 1121107

Visit ΔMRSEC at http://mrsec.duke.edu NSF DMR 1121107 Nanoscale 4, 1996-2004(2012)