Metallic nanowire networks for energy applications: experimental and modelling approaches

Research is increasingly being dedicated towards finding emerging
materials aiming at playing a prominent role in energy issues. Transparent
electrodes are a key component of devices such as solar cells or efficient
lighting (such as OLED). Among emerging transparent conductive materials,
metallic nanowire networks appear to be a very promising solution. This work
aims at designing and optimizing metallic nanowire networks based on both
experimental and modelling approaches. The influence on the networks physical
properties of several key parameters such as the metal/alloy used, thermal
annealing, network density, device size, etc. are explored. These percolating
networks exhibit excellent properties (sheet resistances and optical
transparency of about 10 Ω/ sq and 90%, respectively) fulfilling the requirements
for solar or efficient opto-electronic applications. This makes them very
appropriate for future uses involving large area and flexible photovoltaics or
efficient lighting display technologies. A comprehensive understanding of the
design and main physical properties of these promising nanostructured
networks will be presented