Silver nanowires with semiconducting ligands for low-temperature transparent conductors

Metal nanowire networks represent a promising candidate for the rapid fabrication of transparent electrodes with high transmission and low sheet-resistance values at very low deposition temperatures. A commonly encountered challenge in the formation of conductive nanowire electrodes is establishing high-quality electronic contact between nanowires to facilitate long-range current transport through the network. A new system involving nanowire ligand removal and replacement with a semiconducting sol-gel tin oxide matrix has enabled the fabrication of high-performance transparent electrodes at dramatically reduced temperatures with minimal need for post-deposition treatment.