Tuning the Electro-Optical Properties of Nanowire Networks

Metallic nanowire networks (NWNs) have attracted great attention as transparent conductors due to its high opto-electrical performance. Here we conducted an in-depth computational study of randomly oriented and grid patterned NWNs in which we obtain and compare their figures of merit (optical transmittance versus sheet resistance) for a variety of metallic materials. In addition, the impact of the nanowires’ alignment on the network electrical conductivity is studied. The optical transmittance calculations are carried out using Mie light scattering theory whereas the sheet resistance is determined using modified nodal analysis for a resistive circuit network. We have found that an optimum trade-off between optical transmittance and sheet resistance can be tuned by playing with the grid-pattern design of the networks, density, nanowire orientation, and material properties. Other relevant network parameters we have considered in our simulations include nanowire length and diameter, and coverage area fraction. The outcomes of this research will contribute to the design the transparent conductor devices made of metallic NWNs with optimal opto-electrical performance.