A new route for fast synthesis of copper nanowires and application on flexible transparent conductive films

Copper nanowires (CuNWs) have been attracting a lot of attention as an alternative to silver nanowires for next generation transparent conductors because of their favorable electric conductivity, mechanical properties, abundance, and low cost. Here, we report a new route using copper hydroxide as precursor, diethylenetriamine as complexing agent, and glucose as reducing agent, by which CuNWs can be acquired within a short reaction time of 10 min and a mild temperature of around 80℃. The effect of reaction temperature, copper precursor concentration, and glucose concentration on the morphology and dimensions of the synthesized CuNWs were investigated. CuNWs of 37 nm in diameter and 17 µm in length were incorporated in an ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA)-coated transparent conductive film, which offered a relative visible light transmission of 91% and a sheet resistance of 48 Ω/sq.