Metallic Nanofiber Ink, Substantially Transparent Conductor, and Fabrication Method

A method of manufacturing a transparent conductor, the method comprising:

• depositing a composition on a substrate, the composition comprising:
• a plurality of metallic nanofibers, the plurality of metallic nanofibers comprising silver, alloys thereof, and mixtures thereof, the plurality of metallic nanofibers at least partially coated with a first polymer comprising polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) having a first molecular weight;
• a first solvent comprising cyclohexanol;
• and
• a second polymer or polymeric precursor mixed with the cyclohexanol and comprising polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) having a second molecular weight greater than the first molecular weight, and wherein the second molecular weight is between 500,000 and 3 million;
• and
• forming the transparent conductor by heating the composition to a temperature less than or equal to 160° C.

A method of manufacturing a transparent conductor, the method comprising:

• depositing a composition on a substrate, the composition comprising:
• a plurality of metallic nanofibers at least partially coated with a first polymer comprising polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) having a first molecular weight;
• a first solvent comprising cyclohexanol;
• a second solvent different from the first solvent, wherein the second solvent is at least one solvent selected from the group consisting of:
• water;
• alcohols;
• cyclic alcohols;
• lactones;
• cyclic ketones;
• glycols;
• glycerols;
• carboxylic acids;
• dicarboxylic acids;
• tricarboxylic acids;
• alkyl carboxylic acids;
• and mixtures thereof;
• and
• a second polymer or polymeric precursor mixed with the cyclohexanol and comprising polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) having a second molecular weight greater than the first molecular weight, and wherein the second molecular weight is between 500,000 and 3 million;
• and
• forming the transparent conductor by heating the composition.