Fast Microwave-Assisted Synthesis of Copper Nanowires as Reusable High-Performance Transparent Conductive Electrode

We report the microwave synthesis of copper nanowires (Cu NWs) by using alkylamine-mediated approach. Cu NWs with aspect ratio ~612 was successfully synthesized at 120 °C for 4 h. Purification process of Cu NWs was done via a simple and fast centrifugation method using water-hydrophobic organic solvent system. The effect of purification on the performance of the fabricated transparent conductive electrode (TCE) films was investigated. Purified Cu NWs TCE showed a low sheet resistance of 35 Ω/sq with high transparency of 81% (at λ550 nm). Glacial acetic acid (GAA) treatment was applied to the Cu NWs films to improve their conductivity and transmittance. The high conductivity of the Cu NWs TCE can be easily restored by using a quick GAA treatment.