Interdependence of Resistance and Optical Transmission in Conductive Nanowire Networks. Issue 2 (31st January 2018) - Ainsworth, Catherine A.
Abstract: Metallic nanowire networks show great potential for use in transparent conductive displays. The coupled relationship between the principal materials properties of interest for such applications, optical transmittance and sheet resistance, is known to be affected by both nanowire dimensions and area coverage. Existing theory to describe the observed interdependence requires consideration of both bulk and surface phases. Here, an analysis of structural variables in these materials is presented confirming that bulk considerations do not typically apply. Accordingly, a model using statistical theory for random line networks is developed that requires consideration of a surface phase only. The resultant simple expression relates sheet resistance and optical transmission of heterogeneous nanowire assemblies in terms of nanowire dimensions. Comparison of our model with experimental and simulation data from the literature shows excellent agreement. In closing, theoretical insights into the observed influence on sheet resistance of polydisperse nanowire lengths and structural variability are provided. Abstract : Statistical geometry of random line networks is used to obtain simple expressions relating the transparency and sheet resistance of silver nanowire networks: one of the leading candidate systems for next‐generation transparent conductive displays. The resultant equations represent a considerable simplification over existing models, and faithfully capture dependencies on nanowire dimensions reported in the literature.