Improving the Thermal Stability and Oxidation Resistance of Silver Nanowire Films via 2-Mercaptobenzimidazole Modification

• Published in: Journal of electronic materials Vol. 50; no. 8; pp. 4908 - 4914
• Main Authors: Ma, Junfei, Kim, Ji-Hyeon, Lee, Ga Hyun, Jo, Sungjin, Kim, Chang Su
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 01.08.2021; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Chemical properties; Chemistry and Materials Science; Corrosion effects; Corrosion resistance; Covalent bonds; Electrical resistivity; Electronic devices; Electronics and Microelectronics; Emission analysis; Functional groups; Heating; Instrumentation; Materials Science; Mercaptobenzimidazole; Morphology; Nanowires; Optical and Electronic Materials; Original Research Article; Oxidation; Oxidation resistance; Oxidation tests; Photoelectrons; Room temperature; Self-assembled monolayers; Self-assembly; Silver; Solid State Physics; Stability analysis; Structural stability; Surface stability; Thermal resistance; Thermal stability; Thermodynamic properties; transparent conductive film; 2-mercaptobenzimidazole; thermal stability; Silver nanowire; oxidation resistance; self-assembled monolayers
• ISSN: 0361-5235; 1543-186X
• DOI: 10.1007/s11664-021-09018-z

For electronic devices, a tradeoff exists between the structural stability and electrical conductivity of silver nanowires (Ag NWs). Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) containing sulfur functional groups formed on the Ag nanowire surface through Ag–S covalent bonds can act as a passivation layer, thereby improving the corrosion resistance. This work explored the effect of 2-mercaptobenzimidazole (MBI) SAM on the thermal and oxidation resistance of Ag NW films. The conductivity, surface morphology, chemical properties, and thermal stability of MBI-modified Ag NW films were analyzed via four-point probe measurements, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and thermal characterization. In particular, the results show that the MBI layer can significantly reduce the oxidation of Ag NW films at room temperature for 60 days. Moreover, the MBI layer improved the thermal stability of the Ag NW films up to 230°C by inhibiting Ag diffusion. The unmodified Ag NW film completely lost conductivity after heating and oxidation treatment. In contrast, the sheet resistance of the Ag NW film modified by 0.1 wt.% MBI only increased from 65 Ω/ □ to 106 Ω/ □ , and 156 Ω/ □ after heating treatment and oxidation test, respectively.