Reversible sliding in networks of nanowires.
Published
Journal Article
This work demonstrates that metal nanowires in a percolating network can reversibly slide across one another. Reversible sliding allows networks of metal nanowires to maintain electrical contact while being stretched to strains greater than the fracture strain for individual nanowires. This phenomenon was demonstrated by using networks of nanowires as compliant electrodes for a dielectric elastomer actuator. Reversible nanowire sliding enabled actuation to a maximum area strain of 200% and repetitive cycling of the actuator to an area strain of 25% over 150 times. During actuation, the transmittance of the network increased 4.5 times, from 13% to 58%. Compared to carbon-based compliant electrodes, networks of metal nanowires can actuate across a broader range of optical transmittance. The widely tunable transmittance of nanowire-based actuators allows for their use as a light valve.
Full Text
Duke Authors
Cited Authors
- Wu, J; Zang, J; Rathmell, AR; Zhao, X; Wiley, BJ
Published Date
- June 2013
Published In
Volume / Issue
- 13 / 6
Start / End Page
- 2381 - 2386
PubMed ID
- 23634844
Pubmed Central ID
- 23634844
Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)
- 1530-6992
International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)
- 1530-6992
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
- 10.1021/nl4000739
Language
- eng