Ascorbic Acid-Assisted One-Step Chemical Reaction to Design an Ultralong Silver Nanowire Structure for a Highly Transparent Flexible Conducting Film

Abstract

Increasing the length of silver nanowires (AgNWs) has been demonstrated as an effective measure to enhance their optoelectronic properties by reducing light attenuation. Herein, we report a unique modified polyol synthesis of AgNWs with average length as long as â270 μm in a high yield of â90%. The synthesis of ultralong AgNWs involves the employment of ascorbic acid in the polyol approach. The strong reducing action of ascorbic acid allows the reduction of silver precursors to occur at a relatively low temperature, wherein the lateral growth of AgNWs is restrained because of efficient surface passivation via the dual function of poly-vinylpyrrolidone and ascorbic acid. The photoelectric properties of the as-synthesized â270 μm AgNW film show a noteworthy transmittance of 92.61% with a low haze of 1.35% at a sheet resistance of â322 ω sq-1. In addition, the AgNW film shows distinguished mechanical property and relatively high electrical stability. The breakthrough in the length confinement of AgNWs is a highly expected step to prepare AgNW films with excellent performance.