Interplay between defects in metallic nanowire networks and their physical properties: a modeling and experimental approach

The use of random metallic nanowire networks as transparent
conductive materials (TCMs) is increasing rapidly. These materials can be used
in flexible/stretchable electronics, flexible displays, touch screens, photovoltaics
or as transparent heaters. Metallic nanowire networks can be deposited by using
low-cost and scalable deposition techniques and exhibit very interesting
electrical, optical, thermal and mechanical properties. In addition to usual
material defects (such as grain-boundaries) any deviation from a “perfect”
infinite network (i.e. nanowire length distributions, finite device size or nanowire
curvature for instance) play a prominent role in the physical properties of the
resulting percolating network. Using Monte Carlo simulations, and based on
experimental available wires the effects of these defects are explored.
Experimental work is focused on the influence of nanowire density as well as
defects within the nanostructured network such as the inhomogeneity of the
network, the grain-boundary along a nanowire, the morphological nanowire
instabilities… The influence of these defects on the physical properties of this
promising nanostructured network will be presented