May 28th, 2015

AgeNT uses two key components, supplied by SWeNT: 1) unpatterned silver (Ag) nanowires coated onto clear plastic film; 2) carbon nanotube (NT) ink. To create patterned transparent conductors, all one needs to do is print the NT ink on top of the Ag and then "erase" the unwanted Ag using a wet-wiping device (also supplied by SWeNT). The resulting patterned transparent conductors are a hybrid of silver nanowires and carbon nanotubes, with compelling optoelectronic properties – sheet resistance of 50 ohm/sq. @ 95% visible light transmittance (not including substrate) has been demonstrated.
Silver nanowires offer very low sheet resistance and high visible light transmittance, but patterning can be expensive and requires the use of lasers or photolithographic etching. Carbon nanotubes offer low-cost patterning (via printing), as well as other advantages (such as low haze, neutral color, stretchability and environmental stability). However, sheet resistance is too high for many display and touch sensor applications.
"Considerable synergy is created by combining silver nanowires and carbon nanotubes in a clever way, which we have achieved with AgeNT," explains Dave Arthur, CEO of SouthWest NanoTechnologies. "The wet-wiping process requires minimal equipment cost and uses no harsh chemicals. We also expect the removed silver can be recycled, which can further reduce cost and minimize waste."