High Chemical and Thermal Stability of Ag Nanowire‐Based Transparent Conductive Electrodes Induced by Electroless Ag Nanoparticle Decoration

Although silver nanowires (AgNWs) are a promising material to replace indium tin oxide for use in transparent conductive electrodes (TCEs), they are easily degraded in contact with air and harsh environments due to surface corrosion and morphological instability. Herein, a facile approach is reported to improve both conductivity and stability of AgNW‐based TCEs (AG‐TCEs) in contact with atmospheric oxidation, water, alcoholic solutions, and acidic and alkaline environments without reducing their high transparency. This approach is based on very rapid electroless deposition of highly crystalline Ag nanoparticles (AgNPs) on AgNWs, uniformly decorating the surface of AG‐TCEs at room temperature. Field‐emission scanning electron microscopic images reveal the formation of strong junctions between AgNWs induced by AgNPs. Exposing the resulting AG‐TCEs to HCl and NaOH solutions remarkably reduces their initial sheet resistance (Rs0), leading to ΔRs/Rs0 (%) of −26% and −37%, respectively. Moreover, decorated AG‐TCEs show high thermal stability after being annealed at 180 °C for 12 h. Herein, an innovative and facile approach is reported to synthesize transparent conductive electrodes based on Ag nanowires with high‐quality electrical, optical, chemical, and thermal stability properties in different environments, including atmospheric oxidation, water, and alcoholic, acidic, and alkaline solutions. The high‐throughput approach is based on very rapid electroless decoration of Ag nanowires with highly crystalline Ag nanoparticles on substrates.