Selective Laser Sintering of Silver Nanowires for Flexible Electronics Materials

Emerging technologies like the Internet of Things, printed and flexible electronics, and neural interfaces demand materials with exceptional properties. Laser processing offers a cost-effective and sustainable approach to creating conductive materials. We synthesized silver nanowires (AgNW) and used laser irradiation to enhance their properties. This led to sintering and partial melting of AgNW, significantly reducing sheet resistance. Furthermore, the laser melted the polymer interface, integrating AgNW and improving adhesion, allowing for flexible bending. The obtained high durable AgNW films on flexible polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrate with low sheet resistance 0.03 Ω/sq and great mechanical stability. This making it suitable for flexible electronics applications.