Fused metal nanostructured networks, fusing solutions with reducing agents and methods for forming metal networks

A method for forming a fused metal nanostructured network, the method comprising:

• contacting metal nanowires with a fusing solution comprising a solvent, a reducing agent and a metal ion source, wherein the metal ion source comprises metal ions from a dissolved salt or an oxidizing acid that forms metal ions from the metal nanowires, wherein the contacting comprises 1) combining the metal nanowires and the fusing solution into a single solution and coating the single solution onto a surface or 2) forming a coating of metal nanowires on a surface and depositing a quantity of fusing solution onto the surface coated with metal nanowires and wherein the metal ion source comprises a metal salt or an oxidizing acid at a pH from about 1.5 to about 5;
• and
• with the metal nanowires coated on the surface, concentrating the fusing solution by removing at least partially the solvent of the fusing solution to effect the reduction of metal ions to their corresponding metal element to fuse the metal nanowires together to form the fused metal nanostructured network, wherein the fused metal nanostructured network is supported on a substrate to form a structure comprising a film on a surface of the substrate and wherein the film has a sheet resistance of no more than about 120 ohm/sq, and a total transmittance for visible light through the film of at least about 89%.