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Geometrical optimization for silver nanowire mesh as a flexible transparent conductive electrode
Applied Optics
|May 14, 2020
Summary
Metallic nanowire mesh offers a promising alternative to brittle transparent electrodes. Optimizing geometric parameters like thickness-to-width ratio and pitch is key to maximizing conductivity and transparency by managing plasmonic effects.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Optics
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Traditional transparent electrodes like Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) face limitations including brittleness, scarcity, and environmental concerns.
- Metallic nanowire mesh is a potential replacement, but optimal structural design for performance is challenging due to complex light interactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of geometric parameters on the transparency and conductivity of metallic nanowire mesh for transparent electrode applications.
- To develop and utilize a wave optics-based kit for accurate prediction of optical transmission, considering localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR), surface plasmon polariton (SPP), and Rayleigh anomaly (RA).
Main Methods:
- Development of a computational kit based on classical Maxwell theory, empirical data, and finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) methods.
- Validation of the kit using experimental results.
- Systematic investigation of various geometric parameters (wire thickness, width, pitch) and their influence on optical phenomena.
Main Results:
- Localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) significantly reduces transparency; increasing the thickness-to-width ratio mitigates this effect.
- Wire pitch (p) impacts Rayleigh anomaly (RA) and surface plasmon polariton (SPP) appearance; an optimum pitch around 300 nm is identified for balancing performance.
- Reduced wire thickness (t) and width (w) decrease SPP intensity and cause a red shift.
Conclusions:
- Optimal geometry for high figure of merit involves a pitch of 300 nm, minimum width (10 nm), and maximum thickness (100 nm).
- The developed wave optics kit accurately predicts optical transmission and guides the optimization of metallic nanowire mesh for transparent electrodes.
