Transparent conductive film and themethod of making the same

A method for fabricating a transparent conductive film with a self-assembled metal mesh having an opening size of about 20 to about 50 μm in said transparent conductive film formed on a substrate, comprising:

• providing a mixed solution comprising a dispersed liquid phase, a continuous liquid phase, at least one emulsifier, a plurality of metal nano-particles, and one or more additives, wherein said at least one emulsifier and/or one of said additives is/are added into said mixed solution in a concentration or weight ratio which leads to said opening size of the self-assembled metal mesh;
• pre-treating a surface of the substrate to produce a hydrophilic or hydrophobic interface between said surface of the substrate and said mixed solution to be coated thereon;
• coating said mixed solution on to said surface of the substrate to form a wet film in a manner that the thickness of the wet film is controlled within a range which leads to said opening size of the self-assembled metal mesh;
• drying said wet film to remove the solvent and liquid phase until a dried film is formed;
• treating dried film under heat, by chemical etching, superheated vapor, photonic sintering, or a combination thereof, to improve conductivity and transparency of the metal mesh.