Mesh size control in forming an Ag/AgO nano-network structure for transparent conducting application
Journal
Nanotechnology
Journal Volume
33
Journal Issue
13
Date Issued
2022
Author(s)
Abstract
The variation behaviors of the morphology, transmission, and sheet resistance of the surface Ag/AgO nano-network (NNW) structures fabricated under different illumination conditions and with different Ag deposition thicknesses and thermal annealing temperatures in forming initial Ag nanoparticles (NPs) are studied. Generally, an NNW structure with a smaller mesh size or a denser branch distribution has a lower transmission and a lower sheet resistance level. Under the fabrication condition of a broader illumination spectrum, a lower thermal annealing temperature, or a thicker Ag deposition, we can obtain an NNW structure of a smaller mesh size. The mesh size of an NNW structure is basically controlled by the seed density of Brownian tree (BT) at the beginning of light illumination. A BT seed can be formed through a stronger local localized surface plasmon resonance for accelerating Ag oxidation in a certain region. Once an Ag/AgO BT seed is formed, the surrounding Ag NPs are reorganized to form the branches of a BT. Multiple BTs are connected to form a large-area NNW structure, which can serve as a transparent conductor. Under the fabrication conditions of a broader illumination spectrum, 3 nm Ag deposition, and 100 °C thermal annealing, we can implement an NNW structure to achieve ?1.15 μm in mesh size, ?90 Ω sq-1 in sheet resistance, and 93%-77% in transmittance within the wavelength range between 370 and 700 nm. ? 2022 IOP Publishing Ltd.
Subjects
Ag nanoparticle
Ag oxidation
brownian tree
diffusion-limited aggregation
nano-network
transparent conductor
Annealing
Deposition
Forestry
Mesh generation
Metal nanoparticles
Morphology
Sheet resistance
Surface plasmon resonance
Surface resistance
Transmissions
Ag depositions
Brownian
Brownian tree
Diffusion limited aggregation
Diffusion limited aggregation]
Mesh size
Nano-network structures
Nano-networks
Transparent conductors
Silver nanoparticles
Type
journal article