RESUMEN
In a nanowire dispersed in liquid droplets, the interplay between the surface tension of the liquid and the elasticity of the nanowire determines the final morphology of the bent or buckled nanowire. Here, we investigate the fabrication of a silver nanowire ring generated as the nanowire encapsulated inside of fine droplets. We used a hybrid aerodynamic and electrostatic atomization method to ensure the generation of droplets with scalable size in the necessary regime for ring formation. We analytically calculate the compressive force of the droplet driven by surface tension as the key mechanism for the self-assembly of ring structures. Thus, for potential large-scale manufacturing, the droplet size provides a convenient parameter to control the realization of ring structures from nanowires.
RESUMEN
As an alternative to the traditional indium tin oxide transparent electrode, solution-processed metal nanowire thin film has been a promising candidate due to its flexibility. However, high contact resistance between the nanowires remains a major challenge to improve the performance. Here, we have investigated a one-step process of coating and welding of nanowires on flexible film. An electric field-assisted spray coating method developed in this study could generate finely charged droplets of nanowire solution at high flow rate. While charged droplets deposited on the flexible film, electric charges were flowing through the nanowire network producing electrical current. It induced Joule heating and welding at junctions of the nanowires without post-processing steps. Using the coating method, the silver nanowire thin film could be uniformly deposited evenly on a large area substrate, and spontaneously self-welding was carried out between the nanowire networks. The transparent electrode of the silver nanowire prepared by the concurrent deposition and the self-welding process could improve uniformity, roughness and sheet resistance.
