Spontaneous self-welding of silver nanowire networks.

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.