Stabilization of metallic nanowire meshes via encapsulation

A method for forming a mechanically-stabilized metallic nanowire mesh, the method comprising the steps of:

• forming the metallic nanowire mesh on a substrate;
• electroplating a metal onto the metallic nanowire mesh so as to fuse individual metallic nanowires in the metallic nanowire mesh together;
• coating the metallic nanowire mesh with a metal oxide that encapsulates the metallic nanowire mesh to mechanically-stabilize the metallic nanowire mesh which permits the metallic nanowire mesh to remain conductive at temperatures greater than or equal to about 600° C., wherein the metal oxide is doped with a dopant selected from the group consisting of:
• niobium, iron and nickel to increase an electrical conductivity of the metal oxide;
• placing platinum mesh electrodes in contact with opposite ends of the metallic nanowire mesh coated with the metal oxide;
• heating the metallic nanowire mesh coated with the metal oxide;
• and
• measuring a resistance of the metallic nanowire mesh coated with the metal oxide as a function of temperature.