title: Facile preparation of transparent and conductive polymer films based on silver nanowire/polycarbonate nanocomposites.
abstract: Silver nanowires (AgNW) synthesized by a solvothermal method were incorporated into a polycarbonate matrix by a solution mixing procedure. Films with a thickness around 18 μm were obtained, showing a good distribution of the wires within the polymer matrix. The thermal stability of the polymer matrix increased significantly, with the main decomposition peak shifting up to 74 ° C for an AgNW loading of 4.35 wt%. The percolation threshold was obtained at very low AgNW content (0.04 wt%), and the composite electrical conductivity at the maximum loading (4.35 wt%) was 41.3 Ω cm. Excellent transparency was obtained at the percolation threshold, with negligible reduction in the transmittance of the polymer matrix (from 88.2 to 87.6% at 0.04 wt% loading of AgNW). In addition, the polymer matrix protected the silver nanowires from oxidation, as demonstrated by the XPS analysis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Engineering, Nanoscience Institute of Aragon (INA), University of Zaragoza, E-50018 Zaragoza, Spain.
authors.forename: Ivan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Moreno
authors.forename: Nuria
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Navascues
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Arruebo
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Irusta
authors.forename: Jesus
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Santamaria
mesh_terms: D004553:Electric Conductivity; D008027:Light; D053761:Nanocomposites / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D053770:Nanowires / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D011076:Polycarboxylate Cement / Q000737:chemistry*; D012834:Silver / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D011076:Polycarboxylate Cement; C005506:polycarbonate; D012834:Silver