Transparent conductive electrodes comprising merged metal nanowires, their structure design, and method of making such structures

Abstract

The present invention discloses transparent conductive electrodes comprising merged metal nanowires and the method of making the same. The merged nanowire junctions have junction depth less than the combination of the diameters of the individual metal nanowires.

1 . A conductive electrode, comprising a substrate; and
 a substantial single layer on the substrate, comprising   a first metal nanowire, having a diameter of d 1 , and a second metal nanowire, having a diameter of d 2 , wherein the first and second metal nanowires meet to form a welded junction, having a depth of J 12 , wherein J 12 =<(d 1 +d 2 ), J 12 >d 1 , and J 12 >d 2 .   
     
     
         2 . The electrode of  claim 1 , wherein the metal nanowires are silver nanowires. 
     
     
         3 . The electrode of  claim 1 , wherein the metal nanowires having an aspect ration more than 1000. 
     
     
         4 . The electrode of  claim 1 , wherein the metal nanowires having a diameter less than 50 nm. 
     
     
         5 . The electrode of  claim 1 , wherein the conductive layer includes a matrix. 
     
     
         6 . The electrode of  claim 1 , wherein the matrix material is an inorganic material. 
     
     
         7 . The electrode of  claim 1 , wherein the nanowire is surface functionalized. 
     
     
         8 . The electrode of  claim 1 , wherein the electrode has a sheet resistance of 1-1000 Ohm/sq 
     
     
         9 . The electrode of  claim 1 , having a light transmission of at least 80%. 
     
     
         10 . The electrode of  claim 1 , having a haze that is tunable from 0.1-10.0. 
     
     
         8 . The electrode of  claim 1 , wherein the substrate is glass. 
     
     
         9 . The electrode of  claim 1 , wherein the substrate is flexible. 
     
     
         10 . The electrode of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more anti-reflective layers, anti-glare layers, adhesive layers, barriers, hard coat, or a protective film. 
     
     
         11 . A display device comprising at least one transparent electrode having a conductive layer, the conductive layer including a plurality of metal nanowires, wherein the metal nanowires intersect and form a metal nanowire network, said network comprising nanowire junctions having a depth equal or less than the combination of the diameters of the individual metal nanowires. 
     
     
         12 . The display device of  claim 11 , wherein the display device is a touch screen, a liquid crystal display, or a flat panel display. 
     
     
         13 . The display device of  claim 1 , wherein the metal is silver.