Predictive\nModel for the Electrical Transport within\nNanowire Networks

Thin\nnetworks of high aspect ratio conductive nanowires can combine\nhigh electrical conductivity with excellent optical transparency,\nwhich has led to a widespread use of nanowires in transparent electrodes,\ntransistors, sensors, and flexible and stretchable conductors. Although\nthe material and application aspects of conductive nanowire films\nhave been thoroughly explored, there is still no model which can relate\nfundamental physical quantities, like wire resistance, contact resistance,\nand nanowire density, to the sheet resistance of the film. Here, we\nderive an analytical model for the electrical conduction within nanowire\nnetworks based on an analysis of the parallel resistor network. The\nmodel captures the transport characteristics and fits a wide range\nof experimental data, allowing for the determination of physical parameters\nand performance-limiting factors, in sharp contrast to the commonly\nemployed percolation theory. The model thus constitutes a useful tool\nwith predictive power for the evaluation and optimization of nanowire\nnetworks in various applications.