Enhancing the optical properties of silver nanowire transparent conducting electrodes by the modification of nanowire cross-section using ultra-violet illumination

Improvement in the haze and transmittance of the silver nanowire (Ag NW) based transparent conducting electrodes is achieved by illuminating UV light after the Ag NW network formation. The evidences from the experimental analyses and numerical calculations indicate that the enhancement of the optical properties is derived from the modification of the Ag NW cross-section from a pentagonal to a circular shape, as well as the removal of the polyvinylpyrrolidone capping layer on the Ag NW surface. The deformation of the Ag NW cross-section occurs due to heat generation induced by the UV light absorption in the Ag NW, and it provides thermal energy for recrystallization to the Ag atoms on the NW surface, specifically near the corners of the pentagon, resulting in an increase in the radius of the rounded corners.