Systems and methods for fabrication of nanostructures

Abstract

Systems and methods for fabricating nanostructures using other nanostructures as templates. A method includes mixing a dispersion and a reagent solution. The dispersion includes nanostructures such as nanowires including a first element such as copper. The reagent solution includes a second element such as silver. The second element at least partially replaces the first element in the nanostructures. The nanostructures are optionally washed, filtered, and/or deoxidized.

1 . A method comprising:
 mixing a dispersion and a reagent solution, the dispersion including nanostructures comprising a first element, the reagent solution including a second element, the second element at least partially replacing the first element in the nano structures.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the nanostructures comprise nanowires. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first element is copper. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second element is silver. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a concentration of the nanostructures in the dispersion is between about 0.1 g/L and about 1 g/L. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the dispersion includes at least one selected from a group consisting of dispersants and surfactants. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a concentration of the reagent solution is between about 0.1 M and about 0.15 M. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the reagent solution comprises at least one selected from a group consisting of silver nitrate and silver ions. 
     
     
         9 . A dispersion comprising:
 a solvent; and   nanowires comprising silver and having a length greater than about 10 microns in a dimension, the nanowires dispersed in the solvent.   
     
     
         10 . The dispersion of  claim 9 , wherein the length is greater than about 25 microns in the dimension. 
     
     
         11 . The dispersion of  claim 9 , wherein the nanowires comprise at least about 10% silver. 
     
     
         12 . The dispersion of  claim 9 , wherein the nanowires in films have a resistivity less than about 7.5×10 3  Ωm in a 2.0 vol % nanowires/low density polyethylene. 
     
     
         13 . The dispersion of  claim 9 , wherein the nanowires in dispersion have a visible light transmittance greater than about 70% at a resistance of 15 Ω/sq. 
     
     
         14 . A method comprising:
 filtering a dispersion including nano structures.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the nanostructures comprise nanowires. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the nanostructures comprise copper. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein filtering the nanostructures includes using a non-fibrous filter. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising dispersing the nanostructures in a solvent. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising deoxidizing the nano structures. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein deoxidizing comprises mixing an acid and a first dispersion including oxidized nanostructures.