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Ultrathin gold nanowires for transparent electronics: Soft sintering and temperature stability
Author(s) -
Maurer Johannes H. M.,
GonzalezGarcia Lola,
Reiser Beate,
Kanelidis Ioannis,
Kraus Tobias
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
physica status solidi (a)
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.532
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1862-6319
pISSN - 1862-6300
DOI - 10.1002/pssa.201532874
Subject(s) - oleylamine , materials science , raman spectroscopy , conductivity , nanowire , nanotechnology , sintering , composite material , nanocrystal , chemistry , optics , physics
Ultrathin gold nanowires (AuNWs) show prospects as components of materials for transparent and flexible electronics that exploit the wires’ high aspect ratio and mechanical flexibility. High junction resistances that are caused by the insulating oleylamine ligand shells and the wires’ intrinsic susceptibility to decomposition by the Rayleigh instability impede their use in the as‐synthesized state. Treatment by H 2 /Ar plasma has been shown to improve conductivity and stability. We study the effects of a plasma treatment on morphology, chemistry, and temperature stability of AuNW layers by electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, and Raman spectroscopy. Plasma treatment effectively removes oleylamine and sinters the individual ultrathin wires to superstructures with enhanced conductivity and temperature stability. Bundles of single ultrathin AuNWs can be sintered to continuous superstructures with enhanced conductivity and stability by H 2 /Ar plasma treatment.