title: Predicting the optoelectronic properties of nanowire films based on control of length polydispersity.
abstract: We demonstrate that the optoelectronic properties of percolating thin films of silver nanowires (AgNWs) are predominantly dependent upon the length distribution of the constituent AgNWs. A generalized expression is derived to describe the dependence of both sheet resistance and optical transmission on this distribution. We experimentally validate the relationship using ultrasonication to controllably vary the length distribution. These results have major implications where nanowire-based films are a desirable material for transparent conductor applications; in particular when application-specific performance criteria must be met. It is of particular interest to have a simple method to generalize the properties of bulk films from an understanding of the base material, as this will speed up the optimisation process. It is anticipated that these results may aid in the adoption of nanowire films in industry, for applications such as touch sensors or photovoltaic electrode structures.
authors.affiliation: University of Surrey, Department of Physics, Guildford, GU2 7XH, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Matthew J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Large
authors.affiliation: University of Surrey, Department of Physics, Guildford, GU2 7XH, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Jake
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Burn
authors.affiliation: University of Surrey, Department of Physics, Guildford, GU2 7XH, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Alice A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: King
authors.affiliation: University of Surrey, Department of Physics, Guildford, GU2 7XH, United Kingdom.|University of Sussex, Department of Physics, Brighton, BN1 9RH, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Sean P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Ogilvie
authors.affiliation: University of Surrey, Department of Physics, Guildford, GU2 7XH, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Izabela
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Jurewicz
authors.affiliation: University of Surrey, Department of Physics, Guildford, GU2 7XH, United Kingdom.|University of Sussex, Department of Physics, Brighton, BN1 9RH, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Alan B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Dalton