High loadings of silver nanowires: dispersions and pastes; conductive materials; and corresponding methods

Abstract

Concentrated dispersions of silver nanowires are used to prepare qualitatively distinct silver structures with a range of properties. The concentrated dispersions can have a high weight percent of silver nanowires and can be formulated to be flowable liquids or non-flowing pastes. The concentrated dispersions can be stable with no visible settling over the course of a week, can have non-Newtonian rheology, and can be diluted to a desired weight percent of silver nanowires without detrimental effects on the uniformity of the dispersions. The concentrated dispersions can be formulated with or without polymers or pre-polymer components. The concentrated dispersions can be formulated with silver salts to adjust dispersion of the silver nanowires and to improve electrical conductivity of cured silver structures formed from the dispersions. Methods for forming the concentrated dispersions are described as are methods to form silver structures from the dispersions.