Effect of tin oxide coating on physical properties of silver nanowire transparent conductive electrodes

Thin SnO2 layers were coated on the surface of silver nanowire transparent conductive electrodes (AgNW TCEs) by atmospheric pressure atomic layer deposition. After coating, the AgNWs have been fully covered on their surface with a layer of SnO2, and they are connected to the surface of the substrate. The sheet resistance sharply decreased from 170.86 Ω/□ to 20.09 Ω/□, while the transmittance reduced from 93.08 to 71.67%. The Joule-heating temperature of the transparent electrode increased from 117 °C to 251 °C. The best AgNW TCE was observed at 100 cycle SnO2 coating with a sheet resistance of 20.09 Ω/□, transmittance of 88.91%, and figure of merit of 155.03. The adhesion of silver nanowires to the substrate significantly increased after coating SnO2. Results indicate that the SnO2 coating on the surface of AgNWs by atomic layer deposition is a highly attractive approach for improving the performance of AgNW TCEs.