Study on optical films with AgNWs using UV laser patterning

Abstract Silver nanowires (AgNWs) with excellent conductive properties can be used to make transparent electrodes with high transmittance, low haze, high electrical conductivity, and high mechanical strength. AgNWs could be a promising material to replace indium tin oxide (ITO). In this study, a polyol method was used to synthesize one-dimension AgNWs. Molecular dynamics simulation software of the Large-scale Atomic/Molecular Massively Parallel Simulator was applied to analyze the micro/nano-scale behavior and predict basic mechanical properties of the materials. For optical properties, a near-field electrospray was combined with ultraviolet 355-nm laser ablation process to direct-write patterning of the transparent conductive AgNWs films as electrodes. Three conductive films with various thicknesses of AgNWs prepared by the near-field electrospray process were coated on glass substrates to analyze the surface morphology and optical properties. A scanning electron microscope and energy dispersive spectrometer were utilized to observe the surface morphology and material composition. An optical integrating sphere and a four-point probe were used to examine the transmittance, haze, and electrical conductivity, respectively. In this study, the optical, electrical and mechanical characteristic as a function of thickness of the films, and laser power levels were characterized.