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Carbon nanotubes (CNTs), with their extraordinary combination of mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties, have emerged as a revolutionary class of nanomaterials with immense potential in energy storage and harvesting devices. Realizing this potential hinges on a fundamental challenge: the dispersion stability of CNTs within various matrices. This review paper provides a comprehensive exploration of the critical interplay between CNT dispersion stability and its far-reaching implications for the performance of energy storage and harvesting technologies. By delving into the underlying mechanisms of dispersion, the strategies to achieve stability, and the direct effects on device functionality, this review sheds light on the intricate relationship between nanotube dispersion and the advancement of energy-related applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silver nanowires (AgNWs) are a potential alternative to conventional transparent conductive materials for various applications, such as flexible and transparent electrodes in optoelectronic devices, including touch screens, solar cells, and flexible displays. However, AgNW electrodes face degradation due to environmental factors, electrical instability, and mechanical stress. To overcome these challenges, strategies to protect AgNW-based electrodes via the incorporation of polymeric materials were widely investigated to improve the durability and stability of AgNW-based electrodes. This review paper gives a comprehensive overview of the incorporation of polymeric materials with AgNW electrodes, emphasizing their performance, and applications. We compare the different polymeric materials and their effect on the electrical, optical, and mechanical properties of AgNW electrodes. Furthermore, we evaluate the key factors affecting the choice of protective layers, such as their compatibility with AgNWs, and also we present current challenges and future opportunities for the development of polymeric materials for AgNW electrodes in emerging technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ag nanowire electrodes have attracted considerable attention because of their potential applications in next-generation flexible electronics. However, there is a paucity of studies on the mechanical properties of Ag nanowire electrodes subjected to a large number of bending cycles. In this study, the effects of the substrate on the mechanical behavior of Ag nanowire electrodes were studied for a high bending frequency. The mechanical reliability of the Ag nanowire electrodes fabricated on a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrate was better than that for a polyimide (PI) substrate; the increase in the resistance of the PET-based Ag nanowire electrode was 1.07%, while that of the PI-based one was 1.23%. Nanoindentation tests showed that the elastic modulus of PI was larger than that of PET. This resulted in a lower bending strain on PET-based Ag nanowire electrodes compared to those on PI-based ones, because of the smaller distance from the neutral plane of the PET-based system. Our study showed that the mechanical properties of the substrate influenced the strain imposed on the thin layer on the substrates, which, in turn, determines the mechanical reliability of the thin-layer/substrate multilayer system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]