Solution-Based Laser-Induced Silver Nanowire Growth on Substrates through Photothermal and Chemical Comodulation

Solution-based laser-induced synthesis (LIS) is a promising nanomanufacturing technique for the localized fabrication of nanomaterials. However, achieving controlled growth of silver nanowires (Ag NWs) remains challenging due to the complex mechanisms of photothermal and chemical dynamics. This study demonstrates direct synthesis of crystalline Ag NWs on various substrates, including flexible ones, through the comodulation of laser parameters and chemical factors. Heat and mass transfer analysis revealed that repetition rate and fluence of the pulsed laser play key roles in modulating temperature distribution and fluid convection, influencing nucleation and crystal growth. Under appropriate power density and chemical conditions, high fluence, inducing high peak temperature, favors the formation of smaller particles with higher number densities, while higher repetition rates generally enhance mass transport, promoting anisotropic growth of Ag nanocrystals. These findings deepen the understanding of photothermal mechanisms governing LIS and highlight its potential for electrode integration in flexible and next-generation electronic devices.